De Bruyne, Rodri, Ake - Man City injury news and return dates for Arsenal Premier League clash
Manchester City take a big advantage into the early title race clash with Arsenal. Not only are Pep Guardiola's men at home but they will have an extra day to prepare from midweek Champions League action.
Whereas Mikel Arteta took his side to Italy to face Atalanta on Thursday, Guardiola had the benefit of a home match against Inter 24 hours earlier. With Arsenal also needing to travel to the Etihad Stadium, it creates a challenge at the end of a testing week.
The Gunners have already found their squad stretched in the early weeks of the campaign due to injury and suspension issues. Declan Rice is able to return to Premier League duties again on Sunday in a boost for Arsenal but Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Mikel Merino will all be absent.
Guardiola has his own fitness problems to navigate. Here, football.london has the latest on City's injury situation.
Kevin De Bruyne
The City captain against Inter was taken off at half-time on Wednesday and is a doubt for the Arsenal clash. "Kevin feels a little better, but not yet," Guardiola said when asked if his playmaker would be available. "Tomorrow [Saturday], we train, and we will see."
Speaking on Wednesday, immediately after the game, Guardiola initially said: "I don't know [how he is]. I didn't speak with doctors yet. I will have more info tomorrow. He was not ready to play [in the second half]."
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Potential return date: Arsenal - Sunday, September 22.
Nathan Ake
Ake picked up a nasty injury during the international break as he was stretchered off during the Netherlands' Nations League match against Germany. He is yet to return to training for City and is likely to be out until after the next international break as well, Guardiola has explained.
Potential return date: Unknown.
Rodri
After an elongated season due to his commitments at Euro 2024, Rodri was not given a first start of the season for City until Wednesday's clash against Inter. He completed the full game and is now working his way back to full fitness.
The Spanish playmaker is still short of game time though. The demands placed on Rodri have opened up a wider conversation over the workload placed on professional footballers. Guardiola addressed this and suggestions that players could strike over the current schedule, explaining, "I think if you ask any player he will say the same. It is not the opinion of me or whatever. I think it's the general opinion of the players.
"And if it keeps this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option, I really think, but let's see. I don't know what's going to happen but it's something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer."
Oscar Bobb
Despite starring in pre-season, Bobb suffered a broken leg towards the end of the summer and now faces an extended period on the sidelines. He had been set for a true breakout season under Guardiola.
Potential return date: November/December.