Kevin De Bruyne might be able to play for Manchester City in the Premier League clash against Arsenal this Sunday. Manager Pep Guardiola mentioned this on Friday during a press conference ahead of the big match.
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De Bruyne’s injury during the Champions League clash against Inter Milan (0-0) on Wednesday has cast doubt over his availability for Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Arsenal.
The Belgian midfielder, one of City’s key players, began experiencing discomfort towards the end of the first half. Despite efforts to assess his condition during halftime, he did not return to the field for the second half, raising concerns about his fitness ahead of the top-of-the-table clash.
During Friday's press conference, Pep Guardiola provided a brief update on De Bruyne's condition but remained cautious. "He’s feeling a little better now," Guardiola said. "But he hasn’t trained yet. Today, the players have a day off, and we’ll resume training tomorrow. We’ll see how things progress." When pressed further on whether the 33-year-old would be fit enough to feature on Sunday, Guardiola kept his cards close to his chest: "It’s possible," he said, leaving the door open for a potential late fitness test.
The uncertainty surrounding De Bruyne's involvement comes at a crucial moment for Manchester City, as they look to maintain their flawless start to the Premier League season. However, City’s depth in midfield, with players like Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, and Rodri in top form, could provide the necessary cover should De Bruyne be unable to start.
Ødegaard Out for Arsenal
While City face uncertainty over De Bruyne, Arsenal has already confirmed that they will be without their captain and midfield maestro, Martin Ødegaard, due to injury. The Norwegian playmaker, instrumental in Arsenal's resurgence over the last two seasons, will not feature in Sunday’s match, a significant blow to Mikel Arteta’s plans.
"That’s really unfortunate for him," Guardiola commented. "I always prefer to play against the best possible team. Ødegaard is important, but Arsenal has been improving year after year. They’ve invested heavily in their squad, and it shows in their performances."
Despite Ødegaard’s absence, Arsenal remains a formidable opponent. Guardiola was quick to praise their overall strength and adaptability under Arteta’s management. "They’re very good. They do a lot of things well in all aspects of the game: their high pressing, how they set up defensively with a low block when needed, and their transitions from defense to attack. They’re so complete."
Guardiola also acknowledged that Arsenal has been Manchester City’s biggest challenger for the past two seasons. "That’s why they’ve been our biggest threat. And when I compliment them, people might say I’m playing mind games. But honestly, I’ve always had a high opinion of Arteta and his team. I’m not good at mind games. They’re just genuinely a great team."
The upcoming match carries significant weight in the context of the Premier League title race, even at this early stage of the season. Manchester City has enjoyed a perfect start to their campaign, winning all four of their opening matches and sitting atop the league table. Arsenal, currently in second place, has also begun the season strongly, trailing City by just two points.
For City, securing a victory against Arsenal would not only maintain their perfect record but also extend their lead at the top of the table. Conversely, Arsenal will be eager to close the gap and send a statement that they are serious title contenders after coming close last season.
The absence of key players such as De Bruyne and Ødegaard adds another layer of intrigue to what is already shaping up to be a fascinating encounter between two of the Premier League’s top sides. Both teams have the depth and quality to compensate for these losses, but their absences could tip the balance in what is expected to be a closely fought match.
The match at the Emirates Stadium will be watched closely, as it could set the tone for the remainder of the season and offer an early glimpse of how both teams will handle the pressures of the title race.
Updated: 02:55, 20 Sep 2024
