Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly is “fine” and will be available to face Arsenal on Sunday, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
The 21-year-old has scored three goals in his last three appearances for City, including a double in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal last month and the opening goal in the 3-0 win at Chelsea last weekend.
However, O’Reilly was forced off on 63 minutes against Chelsea after appearing to hold his hamstring. He chatted and laughed with Guardiola before heading down the tunnel, although he returned to the pitch at full-time to celebrate victory in front of the away supporters.
City’s victory at Chelsea, combined with Arsenal’s defeat at Bournemouth last Saturday, means Guardiola’s team have the opportunity cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to three points and have the title race in their hands with victory at the Etihad.
Guardiola, who confirmed City be without centre-back Ruben Dias, agreed that Sunday feels like a “final” but said the title race will be “over” if they lose to Arsenal at the Etihad and go nine points behind the Premier League leaders.
”If we lose, it is over,” Guardiola said. “The other two results, knowing that Arsenal didn't beat Bournemouth – we still have games to play. Six games is a lot, especially in our calendar. Everton away, Bournemouth away, Aston Villa the last game at home. Crystal Palace and Brentford. There are still many things to do."
The City coach would need his side would need to play a “perfect” game to beat Arsenal and Guardiola praised his former assistant Mikel Arteta, insisting that he enjoys their style of play and learns a lot from watching them despite the criticism they have faced at times this season.
He also suggested Arsenal may change their approach, with a draw suiting the visitors. “They are so strong in all departments. That’s why they are where they are, top of the Premier League and semi-finals of the Champions League. All season they have been top,” he said.
“That’s why I’m proud to be challenging them. The Carabao Cup we won, the FA Cup we’re in the semi-finals, and here we are. It depends on how we perform. We have to do a perfect, a top, top level performance to beat Arsenal. I know Mikel, they are going to change something.”
