Lie down and think of Arsenal

Guardiola’s players finished their Champions League win over Napoli on Thursday night with only ten men to beat, but the real opponent now is the clock. From the whistle at the Etihad to kick-off at the Emirates, there are just 66 hours. Enough time for recovery? Not really. Enough time to reinvent the tactical wheel? Certainly not.

Guardiola didn’t sound especially worried. “We’re going hiking in the mountains,” he said with a grin. Translation: the squad will be lying down in dark rooms, hoping their legs start working again. “Friday is recovery,” he added. “We’ve got injuries. The best thing is rest, rest, rest.”

In the past he has complained that English sides are stitched up by the calendar. On this occasion he waved the topic away. Perhaps even Pep has realised the Premier League isn’t going to reshuffle the diary for him.

the bigger question is whether Rodri can face Arsenal. The midfielder is still working back from the knee injury he picked up against the same opposition a year ago. He asked to come off after an hour on Thursday, admitting he didn’t feel quite right. He had already been substituted in the Manchester derby before the end.

“He was smart,” said Guardiola. “It was 1-0 at the time, but he didn’t feel good. Yesterday in training he said he wasn’t comfortable, then insisted he’d be fine today – and he was excellent. With him we’re calmer, but you have to be careful after an injury. We’ll decide on Sunday.”

So City head to Arsenal with little prep, a tired squad and a decision to make on their midfield anchor. All perfectly straightforward then.