Manchester City welcome league leaders Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and as per reports, both Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker should be available for this all-important tie.
Walker picked up a hamstring injury during England’s friendly against Brazil last week and he has been sent back to Manchester to continue his rehabilitation. The defender was a major doubt for Sunday’s Premier League game but the latest scans seem to have revealed that the injury is not serious and he should be fine before the Gunners come to town.
Kevin De Bruyne pulled out of the Belgium squad due to a groin issue but the playmaker has been seen training with MCFC at the start of the week which is a positive sign.
Jack Grealish is the other injured player who was seen training with City. The England international has been out for almost a month with a groin injury.
Grealish has been really underwhelming this season for City and since Pep has Jeremy Doku, the manager is not going to use the English winger on Sunday. Jack Grealish has fallen down the pecking order and since he’s been out for several weeks, he will, at best, be named on the bench.
However, Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne will most certainly be named in the first XI because these two are some of the most important players for City.
Walker’s injury is fresh so there’s still a level of doubt over his fitness and if he is not 100% then Guardiola will have to use someone like John Stones or Manuel Akanji on the right-hand side of defence.
Kevin De Bruyne has gotten almost two weeks to make a full recovery and the playmaker will take up his No 10 role on Sunday. KDB, over the years, has been the wizard in Man City’s team but constant injuries have been a major problem for him. This season, the Belgium international has featured in only nine Premier League games, scoring one and assisting five goals.
Manchester City are just one point behind Arsenal so if they can beat them on Sunday and Liverpool also drop points then Guardiola’s side will be able to reclaim the top spot on the table.
