Pep Guardiola confirms Man City injury blow for Arsenal match

Pep Guardiola confirms Man City injury blow for Arsenal match

Manchester City head to Arsenal in the Premier League but will be without a key defender as John Stones continues his recovery

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BySimon BajkowskiChief Manchester City writer
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John Stones and Rico Lewis of Manchester City (Image: James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

Manchester City will have to take on Arsenal without John Stones after Pep Guardiola ruled the defender out of the crunch Premier League game.

Stones has not played for the Blues since the Community Shield in August due to a number of injury issues, and returned to training this week as he aims to prove his fitness. The England defender was named on the bench for the Champions League game against RB Leipzig and also was named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the national team for those upcoming games.

However, Guardiola said that the centre-back will not be fit to feature against Arsenal even if he is subsequently able to play for his country. Already without Kevin De Bruyne due to injury and Rodri due to suspension, City will have to find another solution to their midfield.

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“John Stones is not ready to play. Maybe for the national team but not for us,” he said.

“We start to talk today with my staff to analyse tomorrow morning, we have to prepare the game. With Rodri, we are talking one of the best – maybe the best – holding midfielders in the world so it is normal. If he is not [able to play], we always handle it over many years.

“We find a solution with our players, the way we are going to press and what they can do.”

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TalkSPORT pundit suggests three Manchester City players have weakened Pep Guardiola’s sidePhoto by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
TalkSPORT pundit suggests three Manchester City players have weakened Pep Guardiola’s side
Fri 6 October 2023 18:00
Billy Meyers
Martin Keown has now admitted that he thinks Manchester City are going into Sunday’s clash against Arsenal weaker than last season – because of three players.

The 57-year-old made the comment when speaking on talkSPORT.

So, what did Martin Keown say about Manchester City? Let’s take a look…

What’s the story?
Well, the man from Oxford claimed that Arsenal should now be encouraged to go up against the likes of Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Julian Alvarez in comparison to Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne.

Keown said: “I think it’s about the calibre of player that you’re up against. I think we have to underline the fact that there are people missing. So, if we’re going to say that Alvarez, Nunes and Kovacic are playing in that midfield, that was De Bruyne, Gundogan and Rodri last year.”

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Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
MORE MAN CITY STORIES
The talkSPORT pundit makes an interesting point.

Of course, any side would suffer without the quality of De Bruyne, Rodri and Gundogan, although we feel it’s harsh from Keown to downplay the talents of Alvarez, Nunes and Kovacic.

Pep Guardiola and his recruitment team are not stupid, so if the Spaniard thinks these three players are capable of keeping his side performing to a high standard, who can say otherwise?

Do not underestimate Manchester City
The majority of the 2022/23 campaign saw Arsenal basking in the spotlight – until Manchester City rained on their parade in the final weeks.

Regardless of who Guardiola chooses to start on Sunday, we are confident they will hurt the Gunners.

After all, Keown’s point can be flipped.

manchester city
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal look set to be without Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli when Mikel Arteta welcomes Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, both of whom are irreplaceable for the north Londoners.

Therefore, Manchester City will also be sensing a huge opportunity to capitalise.

Related Topics
ILKAY GUNDOGAN
JULIAN ALVAREZ
KEVIN DE BRUYNE
MATEO KOVACIC
MATHEUS NUNES
RODRI
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