Whenever Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta get together it’s a managerial matchup that is more than just teacher versus pupil. It’s also a meeting of two bosses that consistently tell the media next to nothing when it comes to player injury/fitness statuses. Kevin de Bruyne is the latest example. De Bruyne suffered a groin injury in midweek UEFA Champions League action.
And while it seems to be widely reported that the big Belgian will miss out on Sunday, Guardiola just plain refuses to rule him out for the big headliner fixture on Sunday.
Arsenal FC at Manchester City FYIs
Kickoff: Sun. Sept. 22, 4:30pm, Etihad Stadium
Team News: Arsenal FC Manchester City
Starting XI Predictions: Arsenal FC Manchester City
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Google Result Probability: Arsenal 21% Manchester City 53% Draw 26%
PL Standing: Arsenal 2nd, 10 pts Manchester City 1st, 12 pts
PL Form: Arsenal WWDW Manchester City WWWW
Sky Blues Team News
“Gamesmanship” or “playing it coy” at its finest. The only other real notable team news item is Phil Foden. He was match fit enough to come off the bench, in the goalless draw with Inter in midweek. Now we’re thinking he starts and goes the full 90 against Arsenal; especially so with De Bruyne sidelined.
Other than that, Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake remain out for the longer term.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.