Arsenal and Liverpool’s title chances have been given an unexpected boost due to a severe injury crisis that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has disclosed within his squad. Speaking ahead of their next Premier League match against Bournemouth, Guardiola revealed that he has only 13 first-team players fit and available, a situation he describes as unprecedented in his nearly decade-long tenure at the club.
Manchester City, the reigning champions, are currently grappling with a wave of injuries that could reshape the dynamics of this season’s title race. Among the sidelined players is key midfielder Rodri, who suffered an ACL rupture that is likely to keep him out for the remainder of the season. Academy star Oscar Bobb is also out, having fractured his leg, adding to Guardiola’s list of unavailable players. In addition, City will be missing the influential Kevin De Bruyne, defensive stalwart Kyle Walker, rising star Jeremy Doku, and versatile attacker Jack Grealish, each nursing various injuries with different recovery timelines.
The club’s injury woes deepened just recently. During the warm-up on Wednesday, Manuel Akanji sustained a calf injury, and in the same game against Tottenham, Ruben Dias had to exit at halftime due to a concern, while youngster Savinho was stretchered off after an ankle injury. These setbacks have intensified Guardiola’s concerns, especially with a demanding fixture list on the horizon. The champions are scheduled to face Bournemouth, Sporting in the Champions League, and then Brighton, all within a tight time frame ahead of the upcoming international break.
Guardiola expressed the toll this situation has taken on the squad in his recent press conference, stating, “We are in real difficulties with only 13 players available. Those who play are finishing games with issues, and recovery is getting harder each week. I think we are in trouble.” He highlighted how challenging it has been for the squad to cope, admitting that this is the most severe injury crisis he has managed in his nine years at City.
In his candid assessment, Guardiola praised the resilience of his squad under these challenging circumstances. “The players are stepping up, showing unity and determination to get through this. Our captain is out, and I don’t expect him or Kevin back before the international break. Jack Grealish’s recovery is also going slowly. It’s tough,” he said. Regarding Akanji’s situation, he added, “Akanji felt a muscular issue, and while he wanted to push through, we decided it was best not to take risks.”
This mounting injury list is also reflected on City’s official squad page, underscoring the difficulty Guardiola faces. With so many experienced players unavailable, he may have no choice but to call upon the club’s youth academy talents to fill the gaps left in his diminished squad.
In the race for the title, Arsenal and Liverpool now find themselves in a potentially advantageous position. With Manchester City, who has long dominated English football under Guardiola, dealing with such a significant handicap, the door opens wider for their rivals. Guardiola, however, remains focused on guiding his side through this challenging period, emphasizing a week-by-week approach and the importance of short recovery windows. Should City stumble under this strain, the momentum could decisively swing towards their competition, injecting new life into Arsenal and Liverpool’s title hopes.
