- Walked picked up a hamstring problem just minutes into England’s loss to Brazil
- Stones then limped off with ankle issue during his side’s 2-2 draw with Belgium
- Why a defeat against Arsenal will be curtains for Man City’s title defence – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
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Pep Guardiola has confirmed that both Kyle Walker and John Stones will miss Manchester City‘s crunch clash with Arsenal.
Both players picked up injuries while away with England, but there were hopes that they could recover in time to feature in the game at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon.
City captain Walker was forced off with a hamstring problem during the 1-0 friendly defeat against Brazil at Wembley on Saturday before Stones hobbled out of the draw with Belgium after sustaining an ankle injury.
Both were set for scans on their fitness issues when City’s stars returned to training on Wednesday, but results have revealed they will both face a period on the sidelines.
The depth of City’s defence will now be stretched, with the likes of Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol also having dealt with recent issues.
The absences will be a major blow for Guardiola, with Walker in particular often relied on for his pace in an often-dominant City side.
Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish have both been undergoing work at the training ground after remaining back over the internationals.
Manuel Akanji and Matheus Nunes, meanwhile, also picked up problems while away with Switzerland and Portugal respectively, though Guardiola confirmed the former is available for Sunday.
Goalkeeper Ederson, meanwhile, is ‘doing better’ after missing the FA Cup quarter-final and international duty having picked up an injury against Liverpool.
The likes of Rico Lewis and Ruben Dias will be more likely to feature on the back of the news.
Arsenal are one point ahead of City going into the final 10 games of the season, with Liverpool, who face Brighton this weekend, sandwiched between the two sides.
They have been assessing the fitness of both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel ahead of the game after both players missed international duty.
