Manchester City have confirmed that midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury which is likely to see him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Gundogan hobbled off of the pitch in tears during City’s 2-0 win over Watford on Wednesday, and manager Pep Guardiola said after the match that he thought the German international would be out for a ‘long time’.
City fans’ worst fears were confirmed on Friday afternoon, when the club confirmed via their official Twitter account the extent of Gundogan’s injury.
Twitter: UPDATE: We can confirm @IlkayGuendogan has sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury. #mcfc
https://t.co/UL9GW2RQTY (@ManCity)
The news means that City will be without Gundogan or the suspended Fernandinho for Sunday’s crucial clash with Arsenal, leaving space for the recent redemption of Yaya Toure to reach new heights.
Toure was omitted from the squad for the start of the season after a long-term debacle between Guardiola and Toure’s agent, Dimtri Seluk, but has apologised for any wrongdoing by himself or his representatives and returned to the City fold in November.
Toure scored a brace upon his return to first-team football against Crystal Palace, but has since been forced to settled for a place on the bench because of the meticulous form of Gundogan and Fernandinho.
