Kevin De Bruyne injury return uncertainty – Every word from part two of Pep Guardiola’s post-Arsenal press conference | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has issued some uncertainty surrounding the return of Kevin De Bruyne from injury, speaking after Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

The Belgium international missed the weekend’s battle at the Etihad Stadium having been withdrawn with what appeared to be a groin problem sustained in the 0-0 draw with Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.

It is the latest in a growing list of injury problems hampering Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad, with Rodri having been withdrawn with a serious knee problem against Arsenal, joining De Bruyne, Nathan Ake, and Oscar Bobb on the treatment table.

Also amongst the talking points from Pep Guardiola in part two of his post-match press conference after the dramatic affair with Arsenal was how he manages his team during intense time-wasting and ‘dark arts’ from opponents.

Speaking after a result that maintains Manchester City’s unbeaten start to the new Premier League season, here is every word from the embargoed section of Pep Guardiola’s press conference from the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening.

On whether Kevin De Bruyne will be available against Watford

“I don’t think it will be long. But he was not able to (feature) today (against Arsenal), I will not say Watford, I don’t know for Newcastle. But I think it will not be long.”

On what the injury to Kevin De Bruyne is

“Some discomfort in the, I don’t know, ‘pubalgia’? What is the name? (Groin?) No, not groin! You are not a doctor! Some problems here (points to groin). Forget about it!”

On how he feels about the team after facing three of Manchester City’s most difficult opponents

“They played good. I’m happy. I cannot expect against Arsenal to not suffer and handle situations, and after 1-2 they defend so deep, and (Bukayo) Saka came a lot inside. It’s not easy. They defended duels, they are aggressive, one-against-one, it’s a real tough opponent.

“The biggest contender in the last two years. We were lucky to beat them, but I know the battle. We know it, we talked about it after the game; OK, this is the level for our contenders. We handle it, we accept the challenge, and 99 points. We’ll see what happens!”

On instructions to Manchester City players on handling opponents’ time-wasting

“Focus on the game, defend yourself, defend yourself, and focus on the game. Focus on what you have to do. Always try to, what we have done many, many years, but defend yourself. That’s all I ask. I know what are the opponents going to do, and what they are going to face.

“And just tactically, always have a way to try to do it, and defensively and offensively, and the behaviours like we cannot control, don’t go away from the real, real and what is important is the game. And we are an honest team, like we go there and try to do our best and that’s all.”

On time-wasting being difficult to ignore

“Yeah, but don’t ask that to me. It’s like I said to your colleague, I cannot answer that question. There are things I cannot control, I am outside. They are concerned if I am a little bit two metres away from my tactical area, so these kinds of things. The rest? Listen, I’m not there.

“But we will not lose… I played many teams, I lost the semi-finals against Inter at home with 10 against 11 as well, and we were not able to come back because it was always a problem – it’s difficult to manage.

“That’s why I have to be calm, don’t make fouls, give rhythm to the game as less as possible. I understand 10 against 11, (David) Raya taking his time with long balls, to win a ball, take time going there, sometimes was cramp, another cramp, and you have to understand it.

“Just stay in the game. Don’t become a little bit… It’s difficult, but don’t stay there. And we did it, really well until the end. It was not arriving and crosses, and fouls, and crosses, and crosses, fouls, right, left, and the right moment try to find inside, cross.

“But on the crosses they are stronger. Imagine today without Erling (Haaland), it would have been impossible. And maybe the space for the second, you know, with Ruben (Dias) and (Mateo) Kova, we are not the best with shots from the 18-yard box, it’s the quality of the players, but they tried.

“And I said, ‘You shoot, it doesn’t matter, shoot, shoot!’ And in general, it was an entertaining game, and we would have preferred to win, but OK. I take the point!”