Manchester City have been handed a blow ahead of their early Premier League title showdown with Arsenal on Sunday. Pep Guardiola will have to select an XI without key player Kevin de Bruyne.
The Belgian suffered the issue on the stroke of half-time in their goalless draw at home against Inter Milan. City were forced to share the spoils against last season's Serie A winners with Ilkay Gundogan having one of the best chances late on at the Etihad Stadium.
The German replaced De Bruyne during the interval and the Mirror have reported that the City playmaker will miss Sunday's grudge match against Mikel Arteta's side with a groin injury.
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Arsenal know all too well the quality of their title rivals with the former Wolfsburg and Chelsea midfielder in the team after his return sparked a new lease of life in City during their pursuit of reaching the Premier League summit.
Pep Guardiola claimed that it was too soon to diagnose the issue but the Mirror added that the initial belief was that the groin injury wasn't a long-term issue. "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."
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