Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Kyle Walker and John Stones will miss Sunday’s pivotal Premier League clash with Arsenal. The pair sustained injuries while on national duty with England, and their subsequent injuries will rule them out of Sunday’s massive match.
It is a blow for Manchester City to lose two key defensive pieces ahead of such a crucial fixture. The fact that they both picked up their injuries in friendlies is particularly frustrating for the world champions.
Speaking with the media before his team takes on Mikel Arteta’s side, Guardiola was asked about the condition of Ederson, Kyle Walker, and John Stones. The City manager told the media: “Ederson is much better. Kyle (Walker) and John (Stones) are out.”
Guardiola didn’t have a timeline for the pairs return. He added: “Kyle’s (injury is) more tough than John’s but they will be out – I don’t know for how many games.” Pep Guardiola also refused to comment on two of his key defenders playing in England’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. He wouldn’t comment he simply replied when asked: “I haven’t got any comments about that...”
Manchester City will now have to face top of the table Arsenal without Kyle Walker and John Stones. Both players have crucial roles that they fulfil for the treble winners. But their absence will provide an opportunity for another player to step up and full the void in such a critical game. It is expected that either Manuel Akanji or Rico Lewis will slot in a right-back on Sunday. While John Stones’ role is harder to replace, there are alternatives in defence for Pep Guardiola. Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake, or Manuel Akanji could play in the heart of City’s defence on Sunday at the Etihad.
