Pep Guardiola concerned about injury pile-up as Manchester City lose ground on Arsenal in EPL race

LONDON – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he may have to bring in more academy players to fill the bench, after Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias were forced off the field with injuries during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Jan 4.

City conceded a stoppage-time equaliser that left them with a second consecutive draw and saw them lose ground in the title race to Arsenal, who are now six points clear 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.”

City are already without central defender John Stones, who has missed the last six games due to a thigh injury, while Nathan Ake has also struggled with fitness issues.

Despite the injury problems, Guardiola was confident his side could compete if they believed in themselves.

“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 and Hove Albion on Jan 7 before facing cross-town rivals Manchester United on Jan 10.

On Jan 4, City led through a Tijjani Reijnders goal in the first half and it looked like being enough for them to cut into Arsenal’s lead at the summit, but Enzo Fernandez pounced to give Chelsea a worthy 1-1 draw, three days after the club sacked coach Enzo Maresca.

Fernandez’s goal at a freezing Etihad Stadium means Arsenal end a packed festive programme with a six-point lead. They have 48 points from 20 games with City and Aston Villa on 42.

Guardiola’s side had ramped up the pressure on Arsenal with a six-game winning run and were within touching distance heading into Christmas, but they have failed to take the momentum into the new year, with back-to-back draws away to Sunderland and now at home to Chelsea.

“It’s frustrating of course but at the end it is what it is,” said City midfielder Rodri, whose return to action after injury is some comfort for Guardiola.

“We created enough chances to win the game three or four nil, but this is football.”

Chelsea’s interim manager Calum McFarlane, meanwhile, was bursting with pride in his team after the late rescue act.

The Blues’ Under-21 coach was thrown into the deep end after Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Day amid a poor run of form, with a daunting debut awaiting McFarlane against City.

“There’s a lot of change that’s gone on,” McFarlane said. “Enzo was incredibly successful with this group. Some of (the players) were shocked by the decision.

“So the character they’ve shown in the last two days, the character they’ve shown today... everyone thought we were coming here to lose. No one thought we stood a chance, but we knew the character and the talent in this group.”

McFarlane, who relished his role as manager on Jan 4, calling it the “stuff you dream about”, is not sure what the immediate future holds in terms of a new boss.

“We’re training tomorrow. So unless I’m told otherwise this evening, I’ll be taking that session,” he said. “My sole focus has obviously been on this game. Until I’m told otherwise, I’ll lead the team.”

McFarlane was initially told he would take charge for the City clash, with a new manager possibly arriving this week. REUTERS