The current International break has been far from ideal for Arsenal and their title rivals, with players featuring for their countries ahead of a tough run of games.
Arsenal saw several players pull out of International duty over injury fears, including Brazil’s Gabriel Magalhaes and England’s Bukayo Saka, but Declan Rice captained Gareth Southgate’s side on his 50th International appearance against Belgium last night.
The game saw Manchester City star John Stones leave the pitch with a suspected adductor injury, in what could be a huge blow for Pep Guardiola.
This comes after Kyle Walker departed in England’s loss to Brazil last Saturday, and it now remains to be seen whether the pair will be available for Arsenal’s trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Kyle Walker and John Stones pick up injuries before Man City vs Arsenal
The two defenders are crucial players for Guardiola, but journalist Julien Laurens has now told ESPN that he would be surprised if either are available for the title clash given the nature of their injuries.
“We need to wait and see with Stones, and with Walker it looked like a muscular injury, like a hamstring as we said on Saturday night,” he stated.
“I can’t see how he can play on Sunday. I don’t think it’s possible for Walker, for Stones coming off so so early in the game, maybe it was just precautionary and maybe there’s a chance, but even if it’s a groin, and it’s just pulling a little bit, again the game is on Sunday.
“There’s like five days now, I just can’t see Stones and Walker playing.”
Walker and Stones have been crucial against Arsenal before
When Arsenal travelled to the Etihad Stadium last season in a crucial match for the title, Stones was outstanding at the back, and scored to make it 2-0 to the hosts just before half time.
The centre-back, who often pushes up to a midfield role, will be hugely missed for City if he is unavailable, and he could only manage 22 minutes off the bench in Arsenal’s victory over City earlier this season.
Walker has a particular reason to hate Arsenal given his previous connections to Tottenham Hotspur, and he has won 18 of his 28 appearances against the Gunners.
The right-back once scored a long-range effort to win a North London Derby, and should he be absent for Man City as well, Guardiola will find himself short of options at the back to try and beat Mikel Arteta’s table-toppers.
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