Man City Team News: Guardiola Confirms Key Duo Will Miss Arsenal Trip

Manchester City will look to take another step closer towards the title when we take on Arsenal for the second time in five days at the Emirates tomorrow night.

Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s provided a team news and injury update ahead of the game.

The City boss confirmed a blow with the news that Fernandinho is certain to miss the trip to north London tomorrow after suffering a hamstring injury at the weekend.

The Brazilian midfielder was forced off during City’s Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal at Wembley after picking up the injury midway through the second half and will now sit out the league clash at the Emirates.

Guardiola also provided an update on Raheem Sterling after the winger missed the recent games with Wigan Athletic and Arsenal due to his own hamstring injury.

Sterling is close to returning to action, however, Guardiola has suggested the 23-year-old will once again miss out tomorrow night and will have to wait for the Chelsea game at the earliest before he’ll be in contention.

Guardiola told mcfc.co.uk:

“Raheem is much, much better, I don’t know if he can play tomorrow but hopefully Chelsea or Basel [he will be ready].

“Fernandinho tomorrow is out.”

Ilkay Gundogan is expected to start in the holding role in place of Fernandinho while Sterling’s absence will be a big blow as the winger has been in superb form this season.

City head to north London sitting 13 points clear at the top of the table having won 23 of their 27 league games so far and victory over Arsenal on Thursday night would see them go 16 points ahead with just 10 games remaining.