SOCCER: Guardiola concerned about injury pile-up as City lose ground on Arsenal

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hinted that he may need to rely on more academy players to fill the bench after Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias were forced off the field with injuries during Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

City conceded a stoppage-time equalizer, marking their second consecutive draw and allowing Arsenal to extend their lead in the title race to six points after 20 games.

“We will see tomorrow about Gvardiol, but it doesn’t look good for him or Ruben,” Guardiola told reporters. “I didn’t speak with the doctor, but if Ruben is out, it is because he felt something. Have you seen the bench today? Four players from the academy—and now we will have more. We don’t have players.”

The injury problems add to City’s already thin defensive options. Central defender John Stones has missed the last six games with a thigh injury, while Nathan Ake has also struggled with fitness issues.

Despite the setbacks, Guardiola remains confident his team can compete if they maintain their spirit. “After what happened last season, if we stay strong we will find a solution and the spirit will be there,” he said. “If the spirit is there, we will be there.”

City will next host Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday before facing rivals Manchester United on Saturday.

-Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters