Manchester City have announced Ilkay Gundogan will require surgery after sustaining cruciate knee ligament damage in their 2-0 win over Watford in midweek.
Gundogan limped off 44 minutes into their victory over Watford on Wednesday night after injuring the same knee that he dislocated in May.
City only signed the Germany international from Borussia Dortmund in the summer but will now reportedly be without the 26-year-old for the remainder of the season.
“It’s 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.
“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.”
The ex-Dortmund ace has struggled with serious knee injuries throughout his career and his latest setback leaves City particularly short in central midfield ahead of their clash with Arsenal on Sunday. With Fernandinho suspended and Fabian Delph still out, Fernando and Yaya Toure are the only recognised central midfielders available to Guardiola.
Gundogan has the highest pass success rate of any City player to have started a game in the Premier League this season (91.9%).
For more stats on Ilkay Gundogan, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
