Saturday’s briefing: Coventry up as Arsenal and Man City prepare for battle

Coventry ended their 25-year exile from the Premier League by securing promotion from the Sky Bet Championship with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola previewed Sunday’s potential title decider at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick left the door open for Marcus Rashford to return to Old Trafford.

Coventry secured promotion to the Premier League after Bobby Thomas’ late equaliser snatched a 1-1 draw at Blackburn.

Frank Lampard’s side only needed a point from Friday’s match at Ewood Park but looked like being denied following Ryoya Morishita’s 54th-minute opener for Rovers.

But, with six minutes of normal time remaining, Sky Blues defender Thomas rose highest to nod in Victor Torp’s free-kick and spark jubilant scenes among away supporters.

Coventry – founder members of the Premier League – last played top-flight football in 2001 and spent the 2017-18 season in the fourth tier.

Lampard said: “This is a special night for the football club, which is bigger than all of us. A club that’s suffered for 25 years in terms of since they’ve been in the Premier League and that journey going down to League Two.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insisted it has not crossed his mind for “one second” to play for a draw in Sunday’s mouth-watering Premier League clash with Manchester City.

The Gunners will head to the Etihad Stadium guarding a six-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side, and avoiding defeat could prove pivotal in their quest for a first league title in 22 years.

“We prepare every game to win,” said Arteta. “That’s why we are where we are and we’re going to continue to do the same.”

In a blow to Arsenal, Arteta confirmed on Friday he will continue to