Pep Guardiola press conference provides injury update on Ruben Dias and Nico O’Reilly ahead of the crunch Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday
Manchester City prepare for a Premier League encounter that could dictate the final destination of the title, as they host Arsenal in a game that is expected to be decided by fine margins. The Gunners sit top of the table, six points ahead of the Sky Blues, who have one game in hand.
Three straight victories against Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have provided Pep Guardiola’s side with a boost in morale ahead of Sunday’s duel.
Struggling to rediscover their form, Arsenal have won just one of their last five matches across all competitions.
Ahead of the meeting between the two teams, City were dealt the bad news regarding centre-back Ruben Dias, who will be absent for the visit of the Gunners, while serious doubts persist over the readiness of John Stones.
The Portuguese defender will miss a fourth straight game, with Marc Guéhi and Abdukodir Khusanov expected to start in Guardiola’s back four.
Guardiola provides clarity on O’Reilly fitness
There had also been worries surrounding Nico O’Reilly, who was withdrawn prematurely during the midweek fixture against Chelsea.
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The youngster appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue before being replaced by Rayan Aït-Nouri, leading to immediate fears of a muscle strain.
However, in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola confirmed that O’Reilly is ready to play against Arsenal, while so clarifying that Dias would not be so fortunate.
“Ruben [Dias] is not ready, and Nico [O’Reilly] is fine,” Guardiola said.
The mixed news in defence arrives at a moment where Manchester City can ill-afford any lapses, with the gap at the top of the table remaining razor-thin as the final weeks of the season approach.
“You have to win every single game and we have done it in the past,” Guardiola said last week.
“So we can do it and maybe we know exactly what you have to do to win it.
“Now we are not seventh or eighth in the Premier League [like last season]. We are second and fighting.”
