Manchester City have confirmed Ilkay Gundogan has suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury after the Germany international was substituted during their 2-0 win over Watford on Wednesday.
The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder's season could beover, and he will continue to be assessed by City's medical staff in order to discover the exact nature of the injury. The news comes as a blow for manager Pep Guardiola who is currently without fellow midfielder Fernandinho, who is halfway throughserving a suspension.
Get well soon, @IlkayGuendogan! ï’' #mcfc pic.twitter.com/bTJiCX1Pvc
Gundogan has a tough history in regards to injuries, with the club aware of those problems, having signed him in the summer whilst he was recovering from a patella injury.
"It's so so difficult for him, it's sad for him, we're going to miss him a lot, it's unlucky, but that's football," Guardiola said, as quoted byCity's official club website.
Now we need him to feel we are there and wait and come back safe. He's going to be operated (upon) and be back as soon as possible.�
Having made 105 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund before his summer move, Gundogan has made 10 appearances in the Premier League for City so far this season, scoring three goals and contributing an assist. The 26-year-old also bagged a brace during City's 3-1 Champions League win over Barcelona.
Guardiola now has a midfield dilemma ahead of the Arsenal game on Sunday, with both Fernandinho and Gundogan ruled out. His options include Fernando and Yaya Toure, who has come back into the first-team squad after a falling out with Guardiola in the summer.