Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has ruled two of the Premier League champions' key defenders out of Sunday's crunch clash with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

Kyle Walker (thigh) and John Stones (adductor) both sustained injuries in England's friendlies with Brazil and Belgium respectively, and Guardiola said on Friday that neither man would be fit to face the Gunners.

However, good news has arrived with the returns of Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson and Jack Grealish to training, while Manuel Akanji - another defensive casualty of the international break - has been given the all-clear following his Switzerland scare.

Some Arsenal fans have already dismissed Guardiola's Walker and Stones admissions as smoke and mirrors, but should both men indeed miss out, the door is open for Rico Lewis to start on the right-hand side.

A fit-again Akanji should also get the nod over Josko Gvardiol to partner Ruben Dias in front of the returning Ederson, while Nathan Ake - who scored in this fixture during last year's FA Cup - takes up residence on the left.

With De Bruyne shaking off the groin issue which forced him to pull out of Belgium duty, the playmaker - who has contributed eight goals and five assists from 20 games against Arsenal - should join Rodri and Bernardo Silva in a fearsome midfield three; there is no update on Matheus Nunes's foot problem.

While Grealish is targeting a comeback against the Gooners, the Englishman is unlikely to force his way back in over Jeremy Doku or Phil Foden, who ought to act as Erling Haaland's supporting cast once more.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Ake; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Doku

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