Manchester City take on Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday and there has been a big debate on whether Pep Guardiola will use John Stones in defence or not.
At one point, the former Everton man was one of the best English defenders but the 26-year-old has clearly fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad and this season he has featured in only 15 Premier League games for the club.
A large part of the reduced game time has been due to injuries but right before the Arsenal clash, John Stones has made it clear that he is fully fit and ready to play in the semi-final.
Stones has told Sky Sports, as per Goal: “Really frustrating from a personal perspective. Injury re-occurrence, then little things like getting injured a few days in after lockdown.
“It’s been frustrating. I’ve tried to stay positive, and be ready when I’m called upon, and I feel I have been.
“Coming back after lockdown, getting fit again, and then coming back in and playing against some tough opponents.
“So I feel fit, feel ready to fight for the FA Cup at the weekend, and then the Champions League. I feel I’m on the right track.
“It’s good to be getting that consistency of playing and keeping my fitness.”
Will John Stones start for Man City vs Arsenal?
Out of the 15 league games which he has played this campaign, Stones has started in only 33% of those matches so clearly he is not a first-choice centre-back for Pep Guardiola.
And since he featured against Bournemouth in midweek we doubt if the England international will get another start during the weekend.
Aymeric Laporte remained an unused sub vs the Cherries and he will most certainly come back into the side, replacing John Stones.
