Everything we know about SEVEN Manchester City stars in doubt for Arsenal clash | OneFootball

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are facing the prospect of being without several first-team stars for Sunday’s showdown Premier League clash against Arsenal.

Arsenal visit the Etihad Stadium this weekend, as Manchester City resume the defence of their treble and Premier League crown following the March international break.

Pep Guardiola’s side, who are unbeaten since early December, remain in the hunt to retain the Premier League, Champions League and Emirates FA Cup, ahead of entering the final two months of the 2023/24 campaign.

Arsenal lead the Premier League title race and are one point ahead of Manchester City prior to Sunday’s crunch clash, with Mikel Arteta’s side having already beaten the Sky Blues twice this season – winning at Wembley in the FA Community Shield and at the Emirates in October.

City, who drew 1-1 at Anfield against Liverpool last time out in the Premier League, will play 10 matches before the end of April, including an FA Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea and Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid.

Guardiola is facing a major injury crisis ahead of entering a crucial period of the campaign, with the potential for seven players to miss Sunday’s match with Arsenal, and a further tough Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening.

Kyle Walker, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Matheus Nunes all suffered injuries during the recent international break, meanwhile Ederson, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish all missed international duty as a result of fitness problems.

The Manchester City manager is expected to issue a fitness update on Friday afternoon from the City Football Academy, however here is everything we know about the seven players so far.

Kyle Walker

The 33-year-old was withdrawn during the first-half of England’s 0-1 loss to Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening due to a suspected hamstring problem. The right-back is set for scans upon returning to the City Football Academy on Thursday, but is a ‘serious doubt’ for Sunday’s clash with Arsenal, according to Jack Gaughan and Sami Mokbel.

John Stones

Stones was forced off due to an abductor issue during England’s 2-2 with Belgium on Tuesday night, and is also set for scans upon returning to Manchester City to discover the extent of the issue. Jeremy Cross reports that Stones is ‘losing his battle’ to be fit for the weekend, and is ‘not hopeful’ of being ready.

Manuel Akanji

Akanji is considered a ‘doubt’ for Sunday’s clash with the Gunners alongside both Walker and Stones according to Martin Blackburn, with the Swiss defender having picked up an injury during a training session in midweek.

Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne missed international duty due to a groin problem but looks set to start against Arsenal this weekend, according to Jeremy Cross. The 32-year-old reportedly was involved in full training with the Elite Development Squad on Tuesday.

Matheus Nunes

Nunes was forced to miss Portugal training in midweek after undergoing treatment for a foot problem, and as a result missed Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Slovenia.

Jack Grealish

Grealish was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s England squad due to continued fitness issues, however the forward could be in contention to feature on Sunday after being named on the bench against Newcastle in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Ederson

Stefan Ortega looks set to start again for Manchester City this weekend with Ederson having been given a four-week time frame to return from the injury sustained at Anfield earlier this month.