Manchester City injury news as Pep Guardiola suffers two concerning injury blows in the aftermath of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal
Manchester City and Arsenal played out a Premier League thriller at the Etihad Stadium. John Stones bagged an injury-time leveller to rescue a point for City in dramatic fashion.
Erling Haaland had put Pep Guardiola’s men ahead in the first 10 minutes before the Gunners responded. Riccardo Calafiori’s beautiful strike levelled the game before Gabriel Magalhaes put the visitors ahead.
Leandro Trossard was then sent off for two yellow cards before City dominated possession after half-time. Fortunately for City, Stones came off the bench to level to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Despite the thriller on the pitch, Guardiola came away from the Etihad Stadium with a number of injury problems. Here, MEN Sport has the latest updates on City’s injury situation ahead of the midweek Carabao Cup clash against Watford:
Rodri
Rodri started for City for the first time this season on Sunday but lasted only 20 minutes. He seemed to twist his knee in an innocuous coming together with Thomas Partey. After treatment, the Spain international limped down the tunnel.
Guardiola admitted after the game that he was concerned enough to take ‘strong’ Rodri off and will now wait for an assessment on his midfielder ahead of fixtures with Watford and Newcastle.
“I don’t know, I didn’t speak to the doctor,” said Guardiola on his midfielder’s injury status. “[But] Rodri is strong. He leaves the pitch in this action because he felt something, otherwise Rodri stays there. He’s the best holding midfielder in the world, He is a potential Ballon d’Or winner, I would love for him to win.”
Potential return date: Unknown.
Kevin De Bruyne
After coming off against Inter last week, De Bruyne missed Sunday’s game altogether after failing to recover from the discomfort in his thigh. There was no sign of De Bruyne off the City bus when it arrived at the Etihad and the Belgian was not named in the squad to take on Arsenal.
It’s unlikely that he’ll be risked against Watford on Tuesday.
Potential return date: Newcastle (A) – September 28
Nathan Ake
Ake endured a severe setback during the Nations League encounter with Germany, being carried off on a stretcher. The Dutch defender is yet to resume training for City and, as Guardiola has said, might remain absent until the forthcoming international break.
Potential return date: Unknown.
Oscar Bobb
Despite impressing in pre-season, sustained a significant injury with a broken leg. He had been tipped for a standout year with Guardiola at the helm.
Potential return date: November/December.
