Football latest: Arteta hints at serious injury as Man City await Rodri update

Manchester City

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Manchester City host Championship club Watford in the Carabao Cup third round tonight and midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who missed Sunday’s draw against Arsenal with a minor injury, is unlikely to feature against the Hornets.

Asked when De Bruyne is likely to return, Guardiola said: “I don’t think it will be long.”

City manager Pep Guardiola also said he asked his players to “focus on the game and defend yourself” if they feel other teams are employing time-wasting against them.

Several City players spoke after Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal in less than complimentary terms about the Gunners’ approach to holding on to their 2-1 lead in the second half at Etihad Stadium.

Asked if he gives his players instructions on how to deal with occasions when they feel the opposition is attempting to “spoil the game”, Guardiola said: “Focus on the game and defend yourself, focus on what we have to do, try to do what we’ve done for many, many years. But defend yourself, that is all I ask.

“The behaviours we cannot control, don’t go away from what is really important – the game. We are an honest team. We go there and try to do our best.”