Pep Guardiola provides Kevin De Bruyne injury update ahead of Arsenal showdown

  • Kevin De Bruyne injury doubt heading into Man City's game with Arsenal
  • Midfielder sustained groin injury against Inter in midweek
  • Pep Guardiola hopes De Bruyne will be fit
De Bruyne is facing a race against time
De Bruyne is facing a race against time / Marc Atkins/GettyImages
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is hopeful that Kevin De Bruyne will be fit to face Arsenal on Sunday.

De Bruyne sustained a groin injury during City's 0-0 draw at home to Inter in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night. Though the midfielder was initially able to continue, he had to be substituted at half time, with Ilkay Gundogan coming on in his place.

At a press conference on Friday, Guardiola was asked for an update on De Bruyne's condition ahead of such a crucial Premier League showdown.

"He feels a little better today," Guardiola said of De Bruyne. "Tomorrow we train and we will see. He could be [involved]."


Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden
Foden is back in the City fold / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Meanwhile, Guardiola revealed his delight at having Phil Foden available for selection again after his start to the season was curtailed by illness and a lack of fitness.

"[Foden] played a good 45 minutes in midweek and he was the best player last season and now he is fighting to be back," Guardiola continued.

"His intensity and his movement in the pockets, he is one of the best in the world. You can imagine how pleased I am to have him back."

City head into Sunday's clash with Arsenal as the only side to have started the Premier League campaign with four wins from four.

The Gunners trail the champions by two points having been held to a draw by Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the September international break.

While City could be without De Bruyne, Arsenal head to the Etihad Stadium without the injured Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney. Former City star Oleksandr Zinchenko is also a doubt.


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