It has been claimed that two Manchester City players missed their side’s training session on Thursday.
In the build-up to the contest between City and Arsenal, there have been suggestions whether mind games are being played regarding players’ fitness ahead of the contest.
After all, Manuel Akanji was left out of Switzerland’s squad for their 2-0 win against Northern Ireland but the same can be said about Bukayo Saka for England’s friendlies against Brazil against Belgium due to the pair suffering knocks.
Of course, if players of the stature of Akanji and Saka will indeed miss the much-awaited clash on Sunday, the quality of the affair will go down a notch.
John Stones and Kyle Walker missed Manchester training on Thursday with Arsenal clash on the horizon
When it comes to big games such as the one between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta’s sides, the neutrals are naturally hoping for both sets of players to be fit.
To witness two out of the three best teams in the country compete against each other at full strength would be a sight to behold.
However, the prospect of that being the case seems to be in jeopardy.
It was revealed by the Daily Mail journalist Jack Gaughan in a latest report that John Stones and Kyle Walker missed training for Manchester City on Thursday.
Stones admitted after England’s 2-2 draw against Belgium thathe was unsure about his availability against Arsenal.
As for Walker, it was recently reported that he has a 50 per cent chance of being fit to face the Gunners.
Even one of Stones or Walker being fit to face Arsenal would be ideal for Guardiola
The theories about mind games being played might have been disproven seeing how John Stones and Kyle Walker were unable to attend training for Manchester City.
Key players like Stones and Walker in particular would not like to do so, as they would aim to be as sharp as possible for the weekend.
Pep Guardiola would be hoping that either of his defenders are available as their know-how in such games is worth its weight in gold.
The pair have been there and done that and the right side of City’s defence will not look as promising if the English duo are unavailable for the heavyweight battle.
John Stones and Kyle Walker have been leaders at the back for this Manchester City side for years and to even have either one of their presence in the team would provide a sense of calmness to the hosts against Arsenal.