Major blow for Man City! Injured Ederson ruled out for four weeks and expected to miss crunch Premier League clash with Arsenal

Manchester City have been dealt a major injury blow with Ederson sidelined for up to a month after picking up an injury against Liverpool on Sunday.

Posted Tuesday, March 12, 2024 by Goal.com

WHAT HAPPENED?
The Brazilian injured his leg in a late challenge on Darwin Nunez that gave away a penalty to the hosts, with Alexis Mac Allister stepping up to equalise from 12 yards. Ederson stayed on the pitch momentarily but was eventually forced off as Stefan Ortega replaced him 11 minutes into the second half. Now, according to Manchester Evening News, the Brazilian faces a spell of between three to four weeks on the sidelines, meaning he will likely miss the Premier League title showdown with Arsenal on March 31.

THE BIGGER PICTURE
While Ederson will be sorely missed for that fixture against Arsenal, City will be without their star goalkeeper for several other significant matches. Ortega will have to deputise, as was expected, in the quarter-final clash against Newcastle on Saturday, while league fixtures against Aston Villa (April 3) and Crystal Palace (April 6) may also come too soon for Ederson. The injury is also a hammer blow in City's quest to regain their European crown, as the Brazilian will likely miss their Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 9/10, too.

WHAT WAS SAID
Despite Ederson being undoubtedly one of the best in his position, Ortega did well against Liverpool and made a vital stop to deny Nunez from close range shortly after coming on. As a result, City don't appear too fazed by the German goalkeeper having to come in, as John Stones showered praise on him post-match: "Incredible keeper. Not easy at all to come in at this stage and how he played, the saves that he pulled off, such intelligent saves. A big shout out to Stefan for coming off the bench at such a difficult place and being ready, which everyone always is."

DID YOU KNOW?
Ederson is rarely injured and has been a stalwart in City's side since joining in 2017. The 30-year-old has only missed 12 games for the Cityzens - seven of which were due to illness - throughout his near-seven seasons with the club, per Transfermarkt.

WHAT NEXT FOR CITY?
Pep Guardiola will be without his No.1 goalkeeper as their bid for an unprecedented second consecutive treble goes on. City host Newcastle in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday before club football pauses for the international break.