De Bruyne ruled out of Arsenal clash with ankle injury

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has inadvertently provided Arsenal with a boost ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The former Everton and Wigan Athletic manager confirmed his latest squad for the team’s upcoming triple header of World Cup qualifiers.

Not included in that roster was De Bruyne, with Martinez confirming the City star is still suffering from an ankle injury and, therefore, not set to feature for the Premier League champions this weekend.

“As you know he had some minutes against Tottenham. But after that game he still felt some pain [in the ankle],” Martinez explained.

“He’s taking a different route now. He’s not going to be playing this weekend [against Arsenal]. The idea is to see how his injury progresses.

“It’s only right that we work together for the well-being of the player. Kevin is working really hard behind the scenes to get fully fit and to be ready for a demanding season. At the moment he’s not 100 percent fit.”

The news will be a blow to Pep Guardiola, who may also take umbrage with Martinez’s decision to disclose such sensitive information.

De Bruyne sat out last weekend’s emphatic victory over Norwich City at the Etihad and looks set to miss out on the Gunners’ visit to the stadium this Saturday.

It means City’s No.17 has not started any of the club’s opening three league games of the season and, along with the injury to Phil Foden, leaves the Blues a little light in midfield.