Pep Guardiola has offered hope that Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne could play some part in Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Arsenal.
The Belgian playmaker has been a doubt for the early-season clash between title rivals at the Etihad Stadium this weekend after suffering an apparent groin injury during the first half of Wednesday night’s home goalless draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League.
De Bruyne visibly struggled during the latter stages of the opening period against the Serie A winners and was replaced at the interval by Ilkay Gundogan.
Guardiola initially said that he was unaware of the severity of the problem when asked for an update after the Inter game, insisting the 33-year-old would be assessed on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference held before the blockbuster Arsenal game on Friday, the City boss revealed that De Bruyne could yet feature against the Gunners after two days off and with the reigning top-flight champions not due to return to training until Saturday.
Guardiola said of De Bruyne: “He feels a little better today... Tomorrow we train and we will see. He could be [involved].”
City are not believed to be battling any other new injury concerns aside from De Bruyne ahead of the visit of Arsenal, with versatile defender Nathan Ake still sidelined as a result of the thigh injury he suffered while away on international duty with the Netherlands earlier this month.
Guardiola also remains without Norwegian midfielder Oscar Bobb, who underwent surgery on a fractured leg in August and was said to be facing up to fourth months out of action.
