Pep Guardiola press conference: Nico O’Reilly and Ruben Dias injury updates ahead of Arsenal clash | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fitness update on Nico O’Reilly and Ruben Dias ahead of Sunday’s visit from Arsenal.

City have the chance to cut Arsenal‘s lead at the top of the Premier League to three points after taking full advantage of the Gunners’ 2-1 loss to Bournemouth last week by winning 3-0 away at Chelsea.

The Blues are in a rich vein of form and enter Sunday’s visit from Mikel Arteta‘s men off the back of a trio of victories against the Gunners in the Carabao Cup final, Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final and Chelsea in the Premier League.

Guardiola’s side produced a dominant second-half display at Stamford Bridge last week as goals from O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku put Liam Rosenior and Chelsea to the sword in a vital win that boosts City’s prospects of winning a seventh league title under Guardiola.

Manchester City suffered a blow in west London last week after O’Reilly went off with an injured hamstring and was replaced by Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Dias also missed the trip with a hamstring issue of his own the Portugal international sustained before the Carabao Cup final on March 22.

Speaking in a press conference on Friday, Guardiola has provided an update on O’Reilly and Dias for Sunday’s titanic battle with Arsenal.

“Ruben (Dias) is not ready still and Nico (O’Reilly) is fine,” the Catalan said.

It remains to be seen whether O’Reilly will be fit to start or whether Ait-Nouri will be entrusted at left-back against Arsenal, having impressed in a cameo at Stamford Bridge.

Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov are set to retain their starting spots at centre-half, with Guardiola unlikely to make many changes to his lineup after a successful trip down south last time out in the Premier League.

Manchester City must win against Arsenal to stand a chance of hijacking the Gunners’ charge for a first league title in 22 years, albeit retaining a game in hand over the league leaders.

Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined as he recovers from a right tibial fracture, with John Stones also doubtful after sustaining a calf issue in the recent international break. Mateo Kovacic came off the bench in the 3-0 win over Chelsea and will likely be involved in a similar capacity on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.