Even without De Bruyne, Man City are favourites to beat Arsenal at home. Most betting sites have spotted the Cityzens a 1.5-goal handicap.
De Bruyne not “right to play”
After chasing down a ball right before half-time in Manchester City’s 0-0 draw with Inter Milan Kevin De Bruyne came up limping and holding his thigh. He played the rest of the first half, but stayed in the dressing room after the half-time break along with Man City’s medical staff.
Immediately after the match, Pep Guardiola was asked about De Bruyne’s injury status.
“I didn't speak with the doctors yet. I will have more info tomorrow,” the former Barcelona manager said bluntly.
“The doctors said to me he wasn't right to play but I was thinking about changing it at half-time anyway.
“When you are alone and lose easy balls, it's a counterattack -- it's impossible to stop it. You have to be more precise. It happened especially on the left side with Kevin. We lost the ball without pressure and when that happens they can kill you,” Guardiola continued.
It’s early, but it sounds like De Bruyne will be out for Man City vs. Arsenal. This year is the final year of De Bruyne’s contract. He was already linked to a move to Saudi Arabia last year, and could be more willing to make the move if he has another injury-plagued season like he did last season.
Disappointing performance
Potentially losing Kevin De Bruyne was not the only disappointing aspect of Man City’s Champions League match against Inter on Wednesday. The Premier League title holders failed to make the most of their chances and had to share the points with the Serie A giants.
When asked about how his side played, Pep Guardiola commended Inter’s tactics, then admitted that his side may still be a bit rusty.
“It's at the start of the season,” the Sky Blues boss said.
“The displays will be better, with more time we will be better. We played so good. I love my team, we are a fantastic team. Inter are a team that defends really well. They are the masters of defending and transitions as well,” he added.
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi praised his side after the match.
“They put in a giant performance,” he said, “I asked them to play exactly as they did. We all know Manchester City and what they are capable of. We knew we had to pull out all the stops and play a great game and we did it. When we work well as a team we make it hard for everyone.”
Man City vs. Arsenal preview
Man City host Arsenal at home on Sunday at 4:30 PM at the Etihad (1:30 AM Monday, AEST). Despite their disappointing result against Inter, the soccer betting sites have Man City as big favourites.
PlayUp gives City $1.80 odds to win, compared to Arsenal’s $4.20 odds. The bookmaker also thinks it will be a fairly low-scoring match, with the over/under line set at 2.5 goals.
It will be a tough task for Arsenal to get any points from the match without their star midfielder Martin Ødegaard, who will be out “for a while” with an ankle injury.
Conclusion
If Arsenal fail to get any points on Sunday, the Premier League title race is probably over. Manchester City are already leading with the bookmakers at $1.90 odds to win the league. Arsenal are second at $3.00.
