PREMIER LEAGUE
Pep Guardiola issues injury update on Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne
Manchester City were forced to settle for a point against Arsenal and are facing the prospect of losing a key player.
Pep Guardiola cut a frustrated figure on Sunday evening as he reflected on an action-packed draw with Premier League title rivals Arsenal.
Manchester City snatched the draw with a late John Stones equaliser but they will regret not having taken all three points, considering that Arsenal went down to ten men late in the first half. Guardiola conceded that Arsenal were “so strong mentally” to withstand for so long, strengthening their title ambitions.
In fairness, City’s task was made more difficult after just 21 minutes when Rodri went down holding his knee after tangling with Thomas Partey. The Spaniard was immediately substituted and City, who had been leading, conceded to a Riccardo Calafiori wonder-strike one minute later.
“I don’t know yet, I didn’t ask the doctors,” Guardiola said after the match, when asked about Rodri’s injury status. “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.”
What did Pep Guardiola say about the Kevin de Bruyne injury?
Rodri is not the only midfielder spending time with City’s medical staff. The talismanic Kevin de Bruyne was ruled out of the Arsenal game having been forced off at halftime in the midweek draw against Inter Milan.
De Bruyne has suffered lengthy absences due to muscular issues in the past, notably making only 15 Premier League starts in 2023/24. However Guardiola had news for City fans on that front, revealing that he doesn’t expect the Belgian to be out for too. long.
Speaking on Sunday, Guardiola said of De Bruyne’s injury: “I think it’s not a big, big one, but was not able [to play] for today.”
City face Watford next in an EFL Cup tie, with Guardiola expected to rotate his squad considerably. De Bruyne is unlikely to feature in the midweek fixture but should be back in contention for next Saturday’s Premier League match, when City have a tough trip to Newcastle United.