Manchester City midfielder Rodri is fit to return after a hamstring injury as the pressure looks set to remain high on Premier League leaders Arsenal at Sunderland on Thursday, manager Pep Guardiola said.
Winger Jeremy Doku, who is out for almost three weeks with a leg injury, could also feature as City look for a ninth straight win in all competitions, Guardiola told reporters on Wednesday.
«Rodri has come back. Maybe he can play a few minutes. We need him badly. Doku maybe,» said Guardiola, whose team is five points ahead of Arsenal.
READ ALSO: Premier League 2025-26: Arteta says Arsenal reap rewards for ‘sacrifices and dedication’
John Stones and Oscar Bobb are not yet fit to return.
«We had seven or eight injured players and two at the Africa Cup of Nations. Five injured players are coming back a bit, so in terms of squad we are not at our best at the moment, but in terms of points we are better than last season,» Guardiola said. City beat Sunderland 3-0 at home this month, but the manager warned against taking the seventh-placed side lightly.
«They are tough. The crowd is always, I remember my first season there, incredible,» Guardiola said.
«They beat Newcastle United. Arsenal and Aston Villa couldn’t win there, so they are strong, but at the same time we are ready.»
Published on December 31, 2025
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/Jake-Paul-Jutta-Leerdam-Engaged-02-032225-31d5ab340db143ae88593e25f13a4667.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "Jake Paul celebra el cumpleaños de su prometida Jutta Leerdam después de las difíciles pruebas olímpicas")
