Pep Guardiola issues update on fresh Man City injury blow ahead of Arsenal clash

Pep Guardiola has responded to fears of a fresh injury blow ahead of Man City’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday. The Gunners and City will face off an early season crunch clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with the two likely to be the main contenders for the Premier League title again this season.

Arsenal have their Champions League opener with Atalanta to contend with first on Thursday night, while City have already played their first European fixture of the season, drawing with Inter Milan 0-0, and on top of the extra day of rest, they did not have to travel to Italy, unlike the Gunners.

It’s no secret Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are dealing with a number of injury issues, with Martin Odegaard sidelined with an ankle ligament injury, while Takehiro Tomiyasu remains out with a knee injury. City don’t have too many issues aside from Nathan Aké and Oscar Bobb, who are both sidelined.

City did, however, pick up a fresh concern in the form of key playmaker Kevin De Bruyne during the Champions League opener, with the Belgian going off at half-time. Guardiola said after the game: “I don't know, I haven't spoken with the doctors yet. I will have more information when I do. We will assess him tomorrow."

While De Bruyne did have an injury, it may have been a substitution Guardiola would have made anyway, with the Catalan explaining: “Against a team that defended 5-3-2 and five players went to one side, they could not make contact with Rodri and you have to turn the ball quick and we needed players special for small spaces.

"Rico (Lewis), Phil and Gundo are the best in the pockets, in the small spaces. Phil turned and shot and Gundo was there for the two crosses. "The way they defend, I was thinking after 35 minutes that I wanted to make this substitution. After the doctor said to me that Kevin was not ready to play but I was ready to make this substitution anyway."

Odegaard injury

Arsenal will be missing one of their most important players, while they will also be hoping to avoid any further issues in Bergamo on Thursday night. Speaking about Odegaard’s setback, Arteta said on Wednesday: “The scan showed some damage around the ligaments in the ankle so we are going to miss him.

"It's something quite significant so we are going to lose him for a while. Hopefully not months. He's our captain," added Arteta. "He's been one of the biggest and best players in our team. Our identity is very linked to how he plays and behaves. It's a big test for the team to see how able we are to show a different face."