Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is optimistic that Kevin De Bruyne will be fit to face Arsenal on Sunday.
De Bruyne suffered a groin injury during City’s 0-0 draw against Inter in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. Although he initially continued playing, he was substituted at halftime for Ilkay Gundogan.
At a press conference on Friday, Guardiola provided an update on De Bruyne’s condition ahead of the crucial Premier League match. “He feels a little better today,” Guardiola said. “We’ll train tomorrow and see. He could be involved.”
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Guardiola also expressed his pleasure at having Phil Foden back in the squad after illness and fitness issues limited his early-season appearances. “Foden played a good 45 minutes midweek and was our best player last season. His intensity and movement in tight spaces make him one of the best in the world. I’m very pleased to have him back.”
City heads into Sunday’s match as the only team in the Premier League with four wins from four. Arsenal trails the champions by two points after being held to a draw by Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break.
While City may be without De Bruyne, Arsenal will be missing several key players, including Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney, with former City star Oleksandr Zinchenko also a doubt.