Arsenal have been handed a huge boost as Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho will not feature during the Premier League clash against the Gunners on Thursday night.
The Gunners suffered a humiliating defeat at the hand of City during the Carabao Cup final on Sunday and Arsene Wenger will be eager to make things right the second round. And it seems the absence of Fernandinho has handed a huge boost for the French manager.
After the Carabao Cup final, Pep Guardiola admitted that the loss of the midfielder will be a huge blow to cope up and the manager might struggle to find an ideal replacement in time.
Guardiola said: ‘He’s a big, big loss,
‘Now we have to find a solution, to find out which players can play in the Fernandinho position. Now we have a problem in that area.’
Manchester City have claimed that the injury sustained by the 32-year-old is not very serious but the clash against Arsenal on Thursday will come too soon for his return.
City released a statement which said: ‘Scans have shown Fernandinho suffered a hamstring strain during the Carabao Cup victory over Arsenal.
‘The Brazilian was withdrawn after 52 minutes of City’s Wembley win, but thankfully the initial prognosis suggests the problem isn’t serious.
‘No timescale has yet been set for his return but the Premier League game against the Gunners on Thursday will come too soon.
‘He has played in every league game this season, scoring three goals, with Pep Guardiola describing [him] as one of the best defensive midfielders in world football.
‘Everyone at the Club wishes him a speedy recovery.’
Fernandinho has featured in all the 27 Premier League games that Manchester City have played this season and this will be the first time he misses a match in the league. The Brazilian has played 2255 minutes of football in the Premier League – scoring 3 goals and assisting 3.
Summer signing Benjamin Mendy would have been a like-to-like replacement for Fernandinho but the Frenchman is also out with a lengthy injury. Guardiola also has the option to play Yaya Toure put given that the Ivorian did not even make it to the matchday squad on Sunday there is very little chance that he might feature at the Emirates.
This could mean that Guardiola will have to deploy former Borussia Dortmund midfielder IIkay Gundagon to fulfil the role of Fernandinho in defensive midfield.
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