Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has not yet been ruled out of Sunday’s crunch Premier League game with Arsenal.
The Belgium international was taken off at half-time in Wednesday night’s goalless draw against Inter due to a groin problem but Pep Guardiola says he could still be available for the visit of the Gunners.
“He feels a little bit better today, but we’ll see tomorrow,” said the City boss.
“He could be involved.”
City and Arsenal have finished one and two in the Premier League for the last two seasons and it would be no surprise if it ended up being a battle for supremacy between them once again.
But Guardiola says you can’t read too much into Sunday’s game at this early stage of the season.
He added: “It’s always been a tight game, in the last few years. I think we are a good team but they’re good too. They do many good things, they’re a complete team, which is why they’ve been our biggest rivals in the last two seasons.
“In terms of the table it’s not really important. It’ll be important when we go to London in the second half of the season.”
PEP 💬 (On Kevin De Bruyne) He feels a little better today… Tomorrow we train and we will see. He could be [involved]. pic.twitter.com/YlLs9kVeJU
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 20, 2024
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Guardiola hails Arsenal’s defensive solidity
Last season’s clash at the Etihad was much hyped but ended in a drab 0-0 draw and Guardiola says Arsenal’s defensive excellence means goals could be at a premium once again.
“I expect the game to be similar,” he said.
“In the transitions, their defensive transitions are quicker than our offensive transitions.
“When we are able to set them back, they accumulate a lot of players, the strikers go to holding midfielders.
“They defend space, they have runners inside the channels; [William] Saliba and Gabriel have incredible focus against Erling Haaland, it’s never one-on-one, it’s two or sometimes three.
“That’s why it’s difficult to attack them. In 2024 they haven’t lost away, they’ve only drawn one game, against us. It’s not just one or two games, it’s consistent.”
Raheem’s return
Sunday could see Raheem Sterling return to the Etihad following his deadline-day move from Chelsea to Arsenal.
The former England winger won four Premier League titles during his time with City and Guardiola wished him well, after this weekend.
“Mikel [Arteta] said he didn’t expect to hire Raheem either,” he said.
“For all the players who behaved unbelievably in this club, who helped us to be who we are and where we are.
“We could not have done the first years of my tenure in our time here without Raheem. I would prefer he didn’t play well on Sunday, but I wish him all the best.”
