Kevin De Bruyne to MISS Man City's clash with Arsenal in major blow for Pep Guardiola
Manchester City are set to be without Kevin De Bruyne for when they take on title challengers Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday - after picking up an injury in midweek
by David McDonnell · The MirrorKevin De Bruyne is set to miss Manchester City's title showdown with Arsenal – but his injury is not understood to rule him out long-term.
De Bruyne suffered what appeared to be a groin injury just before half-time in City's 0-0 Champions League opener against Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
The City playmaker needed treatment from City's medical staff and did not emerge for the second-half, with boss Pep Guardiola claiming it was too early to assess the extent of the issue.
But De Bruyne is understood to be a major doubt for Sunday's clash with Mikel Arteta's side, with City unwilling to risk playing him and potentially losing him for even longer.
The stalemate with Inter was De Bruyne's fifth successive start for City this season, with the 33-year-old having also played twice for Belgium during the recent international break.
Ilkay Gundogan replaced De Bruyne on Wednesday and is likely to do the same against Arsenal, with Phil Foden also in the frame to start after returning from illness against Inter.
Guardiola suggested that he was planning on taking his captain off, even before he picked up the knock to force his hand. "I didn't speak with the doctors yet. I will have more info tomorrow," he said.
"Against a team that defended 5-3-2 and five players went to one side, they could not make contact with Rodri and you have to turn the ball quick and we needed players special for small spaces. Rico [Lewis], Phil and Gundo are the best in the pockets, in the small spaces. Phil turned and shot and Gundo was there for the two crosses.
"The way they defend, I was thinking after 35 minutes that I wanted to make this substitution. After the doctor said to me that Kevin was not ready to play but I was ready to make this substitution anyway."
De Bruyne is into the final year of his City contract and this could be his last season at the Etihad, with the lucrative Saudi Pro League his likely destination next summer should he leave.
His absence means both Arsenal and City are set to be without their midfield talisman for a game that will put an early stamp on the Premier League title race. But while De Bruyne's injury isn't expected to be a long-term one, Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard is facing a significant chunk of time on the sidelines.
Odegaard picked up an ankle ligament injury while on international duty with Norway and is now set to miss as many as 12 MATCHES in all competitions. Mirror Sport understands he is targeting a return to action at the end of November.
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