Manchester City will not have Kyle Walker and John Stones at their disposal this weekend. Both players were injured while playing for England during the international break.
Guardiola Offers Updates on Three Manchester City Defenders
Citizens Prepare for a Crucial Match
Manchester City will host Arsenal in a potential title decider on Sunday. The visitors come into the game as Premier League leaders, sitting one point ahead of their rivals on the table.
Man City dropped points in their last league game before the break, drawing 1-1 against Liverpool. This weekend, they hope to end Arsenal’s six-game winning streak in the Premier League.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side will have to deal with the absence of two key defenders against their in-form rivals.
Latest Updates on Walker, Stones, and Akanji
The international break was full of nasty surprises for the current champions, who sent 16 players on international-team duty ahead of the final phase of the campaign. Walker and Stones both suffered injuries while playing for England. Manuel Akanji also withdrew from Switzerland’s camp after picking up a knock in training.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the match against Arsenal, Guardiola confirmed both English players will miss the game. Akanji, however, will be available for selection, with the manager simply saying the centre-back is “OK”.
Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish, who stayed in Manchester during the international break, have returned to team training in recent days. Both players are expected to be in the squad for the upcoming game at Etihad.
Who will replace Stones and Walker against Arsenal?
Guardiola has to fill in a massive gap in City’s backline as he won’t have two of his regular starters in the squad on Sunday. Nonetheless, the news of Akanji’s fitness provides him with an extra option for the centre-back spot.
The Swiss international will most likely keep his starting spot after a brilliant display against Newcastle in the FA Cup earlier this month. He is expected to play alongside Ruben Dias at the centre of the defence. Guardiola will have to fill up the two remaining positions in City’s defence line with Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake.
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