Will Kevin De Bruyne feature against Arsenal? Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola provides fresh update
Pep Guardiola has suggested Kevin De Bruyne will be involved in Manchester City's top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal on Sunday (September 22). The Belgian playmaker picked up a groin problem in his side's 0-0 draw with Inter Milan in their UEFA Champions League opener on Wednesday (September 18).
De Bruyne is fighting to be fit for the encounter with the Gunners at the Etihad. Guardiola told reporters that the veteran midfielder would be assessed (via transfer expert Fabrizio Romano):
"Kevin De Bruyne feels today a little bit better, but not yet… he could be involved against Arsenal. Days off and tomorrow is training and we will see."
De Bruyne's potential absence would be a big blow for Manchester City who are looking to remain perfect in the Premier League. They face an Arsenal side who will be without their captain, Martin Odegaard, who has an ankle sprain.
Phil Foden recently returned from illness and could come into midfield to replace De Bruyne. He'd missed several weeks of action for the Cityzens and pulled out of England's squad for last week's international break.
De Bruyne knows the fixture well, as he's been involved in 21 encounters with the Gunners. He has an impressive record of eight goals and five assists in those games across competitions.
Arsenal avoided defeat against Manchester City in the league last season, winning 1-0 at home and drawing 0-0 away. They will soon learn whether they'll come up against arguably the reigning champions' protagonist.
Two of De Bruyne's teammates set to miss Manchester City vs Arsenal
De Bruyne might be available for Sunday's battle at the Etihad, but Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb won't be. The former has been out of action since sustaining a hamstring injury during the international break with the Netherlands. The Dutch defender will be absent against Arsenal, per Manchester Evening News.
Bobb fractured his leg on the cusp of the new season and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The earliest date Manchester City's Norweigan midfielder can be expected to return is around December.
There is good news regarding Savinho, who was also taken off in City's draw with Inter midweek. The Brazilian attacker had an issue with his leg in a 2-1 win against Brentford (September 14).
However, Guardiola put Savinho's substitution down to tactics rather than any injury. He said that the young winger had cramp and opted to make a tactical change to deploy players who could work better in tight spaces.