Manchester City dealt another injury blow ahead of Arsenal clash as Kevin de Bruyne suffers knock

Arsenal title rivals Manchester City will be without Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson when both clubs meet at Etihad Stadium on March 31 due to a knock and they have now been dealt another injury blow.

Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has suffered a minor groin injury and has not been called up for international duty this month, according to Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur.

He only recently returned from a long-term injury, and while his withdrawal against Liverpool was not due to a knock, he is currently not fit enough to represent his country and could be a doubt for the Arsenal game.

No Kevin De Bruyne in the Belgium squad due to a minor groin injury.

— Kristof Terreur (@kristofterreur) March 14, 2024

Tedesco: “He’s been playing with a minor groin issue during the last games. Yesterday I spoke to the doctor and Kevin and we decided that the risk is too big. It's better to give him time to recover well at City and then have him ready for the Euros.“

— Kristof Terreur (@kristofterreur) March 14, 2024

He will not feature for the Red Devils in their friendly games against the Republic of Ireland and England.

De Bruyne is arguably the player Man City manager Pep Guardiola will not want to be without against Arsenal, and being without such a key man will be a huge blow.

The Gunners are top of the Premier League table after 28 games, with a superior goal difference separating them from Liverpool and a point between them and Man City.

A victory at Etihad will boost their chances of finally winning the title for the first time since 2004, and the injury to De Bruyne will be much-welcomed news for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal won the Community Shield against them in August before securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Emirates Stadium when both sides met in the Premier League in October, and they will fancy their chances of picking up another win on March 31, especially if De Bruyne becomes unavailable for selection.

The 32-year-old has 11 assists and two goals since returning to action in January having been earlier out of action since mid-August, and Man City will hope he can regain fitness in time for the potential title decider after the international break.