Manchester City have suffered a double injury blow heading into their crucial match against the league leaders Arsenal after Pep Guardiola confirmed defenders Kyle Walker and John Stones will miss the fixture on Sunday.
The duo were injured on international duty with England: right-back Walker was forced off against Brazil with a hamstring issue, while Stones needed to be replaced after 10 minutes of a friendly with Belgium after picking up an adductor problem. Guardiola anticipates that Walker will be out for longer than Stones but both are in a race against time to recover in time to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on 9 April.
“Kyle and John are out,” said Guardiola. “It is what it is. For Kyle it will be more tougher than John [in terms of recovery], but I don’t know for how many games he will be out.” Asked if he was surprised that Stones started both of England’s internationals, Guardiola said: “I don’t have any comments on that.”
Manuel Akanji, another who was a doubt after missing a Switzerland match this week with a knock, is likely to be available and goalkeeper Ederson should return in goal after recovering from a thigh injury, while a late decision will be made over the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne.
Sunday’s encounter will be the final time any of the three vying for the title play one another. Arsenal are top on goal difference from Liverpool with City a point behind their rivals. City are aiming to replicate last season’s treble. “It’s good to be here and in contention for three titles after what happened last season,” Guardiola added.
“We made incredible work. Right now every game is so important. If we are able to do it [against Arsenal], the next game will be important as well. We played really good the last month but the international break, the first game after you think what will happen? Yesterday we trained good and we have two more training sessions and will be ready for it again.”
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Last season City defeated Arsenal three times, including a dominant 4-1 victory at the Etihad. Asked what the difference is between Mikel Arteta’s side since beating them last April, Guardiola said: “Same manager, same players. They control many aspects of the game and every time they are better and better. When you have consistency in terms of ideas and the same manager, you always improve. If you change manager and players, it is more difficult.”