Pep Guardiola reveals injury blow as Man City lose ground on Arsenal | Football

Pep Guardiola offered a bleak injury update on winger Savinho after Manchester City gave up ground in their Premier League title race with Arsenal against Sunderland.

City were held to a goalless draw with the Black Cats on New Year’s Day, leaving them four points behind the Gunners at the top of the league after their win over Aston Villa this week.

Sunderland turned in an excellent rearguard display to claim a thoroughly-deserved point on Thursday night with City failing to take their chances.

‘The amount of chances we missed in the six-yard box, not difficult ones, we could not convert,’ Guardiola said post-match.

‘We created enough chances. We didn’t do what we talked about in the first half but we played good in the second half. The commitment, the desire, the first half was different.

‘The two chances from Savinho in the second half, Jeremy (Doku), Josko (Gvardiol), Phil (Foden) and Erling (Haaland). We had a lot but unfortunately we could not do it.’

Savinho was forced off early in the second-half at the Stadium of Light with Guardiola admitting ‘it doesn’t look good’

Nico Gonzalez was also forced off after the break, paving the way for Rodri to return to action after his most recent layoff.

Guardiola lavished praise on the midfielder and his performance, insisting it proved exactly why he is the best in the world in his position.

‘He changed the game,’ Guardiola said of Rodri. ‘He proved in 45 minutes that in that position, he’s the best.

‘We struggled in the first half but with Rodri we struggle less. We broke the lines and were more fluid.

‘One year we had without him. We missed him a lot. Hopefully he can stay (fit) because he makes us a better team.’

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City’s focus now shifts to Sunday’s game against Chelsea, with the Blues today dismissing head coach Enzo Maresca.

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