In a possible boost to Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League title race, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that key defender John Stones’ ankle injury “doesn’t look good” following the former Everton player’s forced departure during Wednesday’s 3-1 victory at Goodison Park.
Jack Harrison gave the Toffees the lead in the first half, making the impression that they were doing Arsenal a favor in the Premier League title contest.
Despite having played the same number of games as Arsenal, City responded with three goals in the second half leaving them three points behind the Gunners.
Although Liverpool have played one more game than the Gunners, they are still ahead by two points. On Thursday, Arsenal will play West Ham United. But Stones hobbled off shortly before halftime, means City may be without him for some time.
Guardiola said, via London World: “It doesn’t look good, but we will see. It’s his ankle.”
The setback occurs just when midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who hasn’t played since August due to injury, could potentially be fit by January next year.
Erling Haaland is expected to miss City’s match against Sheffield United this weekend due to a foot injury.
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Guardiola added: “He [Haaland] is training alone but he is not training with the team yet. I’m not a doctor. He had a stress in the bone in his feet and it’s so painful.
“Kevin is close but he had fatigue yesterday and we have to be careful. When he was injured for three months, if you don’t handle the timings good you can get injured again.”
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