Actually, what I really think about this Manchester city team is that they are not as efficient as they were last season, compared to this season, if efficient is the right word to use, so if most of their top players is absent due to injuries, it's really going to bite them hard because they can't replace such qualities, regardless of the debth they have in their squad.
And as for their quest for the title, I really don't think they can win it, because their are so many tough fixtures ahead of them which arsenal will be the first, and with the absence of most of their key players, I really do think they will struggle in that game, so getting a win from that game will be even more difficult with the absence of those top level players like de bruyne an co.
There is no other choice but to continue playing with the available players because injury is a risk factor that cannot be avoided. Many great teams are like that. That's why you should never rely on one or two great players; if they are injured, there is no other solution than to accept that fact. If Manchester City forces injured players to remain on the field, it will make the injuries more fatal and cause more harm to Manchester City. At least for now, there are still a few days ahead that are sufficient for Manchester City to form a team that can be used to compete against Arsenal at the end of the month.
Injuries to key players can affect each team chances of winning, their presence in crucial matches is really needed by each coach. The match between Manchester City versus Arsenal is one of the deciding matches for the fate of both teams in their pursuit of the Premier League trophy this season, it would be a shame if both coaches had to lose key players. In the Manchester City camp, De Bruyne is reportedly injured, we know that De Bruyne is a tempo maker in their midfield. Without the playmaker presence, Manchester City would certainly have difficulty winning the match. Meanwhile in Arsenal camp, Arteta lost three important players, namely Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
Pep Guardiola or Arteta certainly don't want to take big risks if their players are not ready to be deployed, they certainly have rotation options to fill the starting XI later. Does not rule out the possibility that in the next few days these players will be able to join and train again, so that they can play next week. The match will definitely be fierce and full of pressure, both teams will likely play a little carefully to avoid fatal mistakes. Losing points could have a big effect on their next steps, besides Liverpool really hope that the Manchester City versus Arsenal match will end in a draw.