MANCHESTER CITY host Arsenal in a crunch Premier League clash on Saturday evening.
It’s Master vs Apprentice as Pep Guardiola faces Mikel Arteta, with City looking to banish the bad memory of their FA Cup final defeat to the Gunners back in July.
De Bruyne played 73 minutes for his country against England at WembleyCredit: Reuters
But City will be without Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne who featured for his country against England last weekend.
Why is Kevin De Bruyne not playing against Arsenal?
De Bruyne has been in fine form for the Citizens this season as he begins his sixth campaign at the Etihad.
He netted in the 3-1 win over Wolves but was also on the field for the embarrassing 5-2 loss against Leicester.
The Belgian started against the Three Lions and came off in the 73rd minute, moments after Mason Mount put the hosts into the lead.
De Bruyne then withdrew from the Belgian squad early, missing their clash with Iceland to return to Eastlands.
The Belgian midfielder will miss the visit or ArsenalCredit: AP:Associated Press
A tweet from the Belgium FA read: “Kevin De Bruyne has returned to his club. He couldn’t be fit enough to play against Iceland.”
The creative midfielder has an undiagnosed knock but Pep Guardiola has been quick to say he doesn’t think it is ‘serious’.
Guardiola revealed: “Everyone came back [from the international break] a little bit better than the previous time because then Cancelo, Bernardo [Silva] and others were injured and couldn’t play at the beginning of the season.
“Unfortunately, Kevin is out, but the rest of the players came back well.”
How long is he out for?
As yet, the extent of De Bruyne’s current injury is unknown – but he is expected to miss at least the next three games.
Guardiola didn’t seem overly concerned though in his pre-match press conference and the Belgian had even been snapped out and about on bikes with his teammates on Monday.
The Spanish boss continued: “I don’t think it is much, but the next games I think he will be out.”
Stay tuned to SunSport for live text coverage of Man City vs Arsenal as the Gunners look to continue their strong start to the campaign.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
