In a crucial development for the upcoming Premier League clash, Manchester City faces a significant injury worry as midfielder Kevin De Bruyne limped off during their recent Champions League match against Inter Milan. The game ended in a goalless draw, but De Bruyne’s exit early on raised alarms about his fitness just days before City is set to meet Arsenal.
The Belgian midfielder sustained the injury following a collision with Inter’s goalkeeper, Yann Sommer. Although he attempted to continue, De Bruyne was ultimately unable to rejoin his teammates after halftime, prompting concerns regarding his availability for Sunday’s match against Arsenal. Meanwhile, Arsenal has its own injury challenges to contend with, as captain Martin Odegaard has been ruled out for several weeks due to ligament damage incurred while on international duty.
Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment regarding Odegaard’s situation, noting the impact on the team. He stated, “Recent scans confirmed damage to one of his ankle ligaments. We’ll certainly miss him, but this also presents a great test for our squad.” Despite this setback, there is a glimmer of hope for Arsenal fans, as new signing Riccardo Calafiori has completed training and is expected to be included in the squad. Additionally, Declan Rice is set to return after serving a suspension for a red card, although Mikel Merino is still sidelined with a shoulder injury.
In addition to De Bruyne, City’s winger Savinho was also substituted at halftime during the match, though it appears he did not suffer an injury. Currently, City leads the Premier League standings with a perfect record from their opening matches, sitting just two points ahead of Arsenal, who are keen to capitalize on any opportunities as they prepare for the upcoming fixture at the Etihad Stadium.
Reflecting on last season’s encounters, it’s worth noting that the two teams faced off in a similarly tense match that ended in a 0-0 draw. This time, both sides will be eager to secure a victory, especially as City aims to maintain their title-winning momentum while Arsenal seeks to close the gap at the top of the table. With both teams experiencing key player absences, the match promises to be a compelling contest, filled with potential turning points for the title race.