Arsenal have been handed a fresh advantage in the Premier League title race as Pep Guardiola reportedly announced the severity of Manchester City’s deteriorating defensive injury crisis.
Second-place City sustained two serious new injuries and only reduced their title gap to six points after 20 games in Sunday’s late 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium with then-managerless Chelsea.
First, Abdukodir Khusanov replaced Josko Gvardiol, who hobbled off in the 51st minute of the match following a collision with Malo Gusto.
Nathan Ake also took Ruben Dias’ place in the final ten minutes of the match against Chelsea due to what was reportedly a hamstring problem.
Guardiola later acknowledged that neither injury appeared to be serious. On Monday, City confirmed that Gvardiol had a tibial fracture to his right leg and will have surgery in response to rumours that he might not play this season.
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Guardiola Confirms Dias Will Be On Sidelines For Six Weeks
According to The Evening Standard, Guardiola has now disclosed that Dias may miss up to six weeks due to a hamstring injury, which would worsen the situation for City.
John Stones, an England defender, has been sidelined for over a month, and City are unsure of when he will return.
“Everybody knows it. I think so. Players are available and others are not,” Guardiola said at a press conference held before Wednesday’s visit of Brighton to the Etihad.
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