Pep Guardiola issues Man City injury update ahead of Arsenal clash

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City's injury situation ahead of Sunday's crunch clash with Arsenal. City welcome the Gunners for their biggest game of the season so far, bidding to leapfrog their visitors and to boost their title hopes.

Arsenal got the best of City earlier in the season with a narrow win, and City likely can't afford to suffer the same fate here if they want to avoid giving themselves a mountain to climb, with Liverpool likely to keep up their end of the bargain based on their recent form. It will be an almighty task for City, and the task has been made that much more difficult by the emergence of two fresh injury blows.

Both Kyle Walker and John Stones picked up injuries during their international duty with England, with Walker picking up a significant hamstring injury, while John Stones has an adductor problem. Both players will miss the Arsenal clash, but there is better news on goalkeeper Ederson, who is back in contention.

“Injures? Ederson is much much better, but Kyle and John are out. It is what it is. For Kyle it will be more tougher than John [in terms of recovery], but I don't now for how many games he will be out," Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference. Kevin De Bruyne is back in action, Guardiola also confirmed. Asked about Gareth Southgate's use of the two players in England's friendly fixtures, Guardiola responded: "I don't comment on that situation." The Walker situation will be a big concern for City fans as their side prepares for a title run-in. City will likely carry out further tests to discover the extent of the blow over the coming days.