Manchester City may have several injury concerns for their top-of-the-table clash against Arsenal this weekend.
City face the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium as they look to climb above their title rivals in the Premier League table. Pep Guardiola’s side are third in the current standings and one point behind Arsenal and second-placed Liverpool going into the fixture.
However, Guardiola may be without several important players through injury for the fixture. Guardiola will hope, though, that the international break has allowed his players to rest and recover ahead of a busy run-in.
Before the international break, City had Ederson and Kevin De Bruyne on the sidelines through injury. The two-week hiatus has also seen the injury list extend to see doubts emerge over the fitness of John Stones, Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji.
Ederson
Ederson has been on the sidelines recovering from a leg injury he sustained against Liverpool on March 10.
As a result, he missed the win over Newcastle United in the FA Cup before the international break. Guardiola was hopeful at the time, though, that the Brazilian will have recovered in time to feature against Arsenal.
Potential return date: Arsenal (H) – March 31.
What has been said about Ederson’s injury: Ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final clash vs Newcastle, Pep Guardiola said: “Eddie is getting better, hopefully he’ll be ready after the international break.”
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Buryne missed City’s win over Newcastle with a groin injury and was withdrawn from the Belgium squad for their international fixtures this month.
No timeframe has been given for when City expect to have De Bruyne back available. It remains to be seen if the midfielder will have recovered in time to feature against the Gunners on Sunday.
Potential return date: Arsenal (H) – March 31.
What has been said about De Bruyne’s injury: Ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final clash vs Newcastle, Pep Guardiola said: “Kevin’s not ready. He already played in Anfield with some problems. But he’s getting better. He’s not ready for tomorrow but we spoke with the manager from Belgium, Domenico Tedesco, and he decide I’m grateful because he didn’t feel good and he could recover for the rest of the season. He played well [at Anfield]. All the players have problems but the day after he didn’t feel good, but it’s better to take care.”
John Stones
John Stones suffered an injury while featuring for England against Belgium on Tuesday night.
No word has emerged over whether or not the injury will keep Stones on the sidelines for the game against Arsenal. Guardiola is expected to provide an update on Stones’ fitness when he speaks to the media.
Potential return date: Unknown.
What has been said about Stones’ injury: Following England’s 2-2 draw with Belgium, Gareth Southgate said: “Of course, we are disappointed if he’s got a problem. It seems to be in the adductor area so we’ll have to wait and see.
“John also came in on the back of not having played for two weeks, so it is not an overload situation. I hate sending players back to their clubs if they are not fully fit.”
Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker suffered a potential hamstring injury while captaining England against Brazil last Saturday.
The right-back was expected to undergo further treatment and assessment in the days after the injury. It remains to be seen what timeframe will be given for when City expect Walker to return to the squad.
Potential return date: Unknown.
What has been said about Walker’s injury: Following England’s 1-0 loss to Brazil, Gareth Southgate said: “We don’t know yet, he’s feeling something. He’s not a player who’s been injured very often so he’s not quite certain what it is. So we just have to assess it over the next couple of days.”
Manuel Akanji
Manuel Akanji is one of the latest players to be added to the City injury room.
The defender was withdrawn from the Switzerland squad after apparently suffering an injury while starring for his country against Belgium last week. Guardiola is expected to provide an update on Akanji’s fitness when he speaks to the media this week.
Potential return date: Unknown.
Matheus Nunes
Matheus Nunes was forced to withdraw from Portugal international duty with a foot injury.
The midfielder played no part in the friendly 2-0 defeat to Slovenia, although neither club nor country have given an update on his condition since.
Potential return date: Unknown.
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish was uninvolved for his country during the international break following his recent groin injury struggles. The winger offered a glimpse into his rehabilitation on social media, though, posting a photo of himself on the treatment table captioned: “Lonely month working my way back.”
Potential return date: Unknown.
What has been said about Grealish’s injury: Speaking ahead of the Manchester derby, Pep Guardiola said: “He will not be fit for this weekend. When he will come back I don’t know.”
