With Manchester City and Arsenal preparing to face each other after the international break draws to a close, it is a challenge to split both sides.
Considering City are at home and tend to have a history of rising to the occasion in potential Premier League title-deciders, one can understand why many would back them to get the job done on Sunday.
But on the other hand, Arsenal are an incredible team as well and gaining more experience as a title-challenging side this season, they have the potential to spring a surprise.
One would assume that players on both sets of teams have one eye on the much-awaited affair at the Etihad Stadium, even if they are currently focused on representing their countries.
What John Stones told Declan Rice about Manchester City vs Arsenal
However, judging by John Stones’ response to Declan Rice about the heavyweight battle between Manchester City and Arsenal, perhaps that may not be the case.
“The first day I came here, I saw John Stones and he didn’t even know they were playing us next. I said: ‘Big game next,’ And John said: ‘Who are you playing?’ And I said: ‘We’ve got you lot!’ He said: ‘Oh yeah.’ He didn’t even know they were playing us next!”, he said [via The Telegraph].
“When he’s away from football he likes to be with his family and switch off and I get that. He likes to take one game at a time.”
John Stones knows how to deal with the anticipation such games bring
Having played in several such clashes for Manchester City in the past, it seems like John Stones is not preoccupied with the thought of facing Declan Rice and the rest of the Arsenal side on Sunday.
With Stones currently on international duty, his sights seem to be set on playing as well as possible for England.
Ultimately, looking too far ahead into the future would not particularly help calm the 29-year-old’s nerves down ahead of a contest that could decide City’s Premier League-winning prospects.
Games of such magnitude are decided by the fine margins and all plans are often deemed futile as chaos ensues.
As a result, John Stones perhaps realises that it is best to stay in the present and focus on the contest once he returns to the CFA.