City ready for title push with injured players set to return, says Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is looking forward to the return of some key players from injury as he looks to push for multiple major titles, including the English Premier League, he told the club’s official website.

Guardiola said he would rather be on top of the table in the Premier League, but is happy with City being within touching distance of leaders Arsenal.

City, who visit Nottingham Forest for a Premier League clash on Saturday, are two points below Arsenal in the English top-flight. In the Champions League, fourth-placed City are five points below Arsenal, but remain on track for a direct entry in the round of 16 with a top-eight finish.

“I’d prefer to be 10 points clear of everyone, but it is what it is. Arsenal’s doing really well but we are there... we’re still in the end of December,” Guardiola said in an interview published on Friday.

“The Champions League, we are up there, and Premier League we are there, semi-finals of the (League Cup), we start the FA Cup soon. Some important players are coming back, so let’s (see) step by step, game by game what’s going to happen.”

Midfielder Rodri, who has not played since early November due to a hamstring injury, may be available for the Forest trip, Guardiola said.

“Rodri is much, much better. Available or not, we’ll decide today,” the manager said.

“(Jeremy) Doku and John (Stones) still aren’t there but soon they’ll be back.”

Arteta eager to avoid repeat of Rice red card against Brighton: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen to ensure there is no repeat of Declan Rice’s controversial red card against Brighton when his English Premier League leaders face Brighton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Gunners are just two points ahead of second-placed Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s men could be one point clear at the top of the table if they see off Nottingham Forest at the City Ground before Arsenal face the Seagulls.

Last season, Rice was sent off after he received a second yellow card for delaying a restart.

Arsenal were leading 1-0 before Rice’s controversial dismissal but ended up dropping two points in a 1-1 draw.

“I remember it very well,” said Arteta as he reflected on the fixture. “I was very pissed off in the manner that we played with 10 men, so hopefully it is going to be very different next time.

“I think the rules are different now. We paid a big price for that rule. And hopefully that stays away and we continue to play with 11 players.”

Rice’s red card was one of six Arsenal received in the Premier League last season but they’ve yet to have a player sent off so far this term.

Kai Havertz could return for Arsenal on Saturday, with the 26-year-old not having featured since the Gunners’ first match of the season following surgery on his right knee.

Havertz returned to training last week and Arteta said he was close to making the squad for their League Cup penalty-shootout triumph over Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

“He (Havertz) was quite close and it will be a matter of days,” said Arteta.

“Let’s see how he responds to the next step, but he is a player that we have missed a lot and a player who brings another dimension to the team. I will be very happy to have him back soon.”

Gabriel Martinelli will face a late fitness test after suffering a knee injury against Palace.

Ekitike reaping rewards for greater physicality, says Slot: Arne Slot believes Hugo Ekitike’s run of five goals in four matches indicates the striker has heeded the Liverpool manager’s advice when it comes to improving his fitness.

The 23-year-old scored on his first three appearances after joining from Eintracht Frankfurt but that achievement was somewhat overshadowed by the £125 million ($169 million) arrival of Alexander Isak at Anfield.

Ekitike only managed three goals in his next 17 matches as the British record signing struggled to get to grips with the repeated demands of English football.

But with the injured Isak now set to be sidelined for several months and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Merseyside club are looking to the Frenchman to lead the line.

Agencies