Manchester City host Arsenal in a Premier League title-race defining match at the Etihad on Sunday, live on Sky Sports – but key players are facing a race to be fit in time for the contest.

With Arsenal leading Liverpool at the top of the standings on goal difference and City just a point further back, the game between City and Arsenal is a hotly-anticipated and crucial contest.

However, coming off the back of an international break, there is selection uncertainty on both sides…

Man City’s defensive dilemmas

There was a double blow for City’s England defenders, with Kyle Walker and John Stones both forced off with injury while away with the Three Lions – neither will be available to Pep Guardiola this weekend.

Walker limped off during the first half of Saturday’s defeat to Brazil with what was described as a tight hamstring, which was later announced as was worse than originally feared, while Stones is suffering from an adductor issue in his groin.

Speaking at his pre-Arsenal press conference on Friday, Guardiola confirmed: “Injuries. Ederson is much, much better. Kyle and John are out. It is what it is.”

Guardiola may indeed have some defensive reshuffling to do on Sunday, but will be grateful to call upon the services of goalkeeper Ederson, who will return after missing City’s FA Cup win over Newcastle before the international break.

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Any other concerns for City?

Further up the pitch, Guardiola will hope it is a more positive picture, with Erling Haaland able to play twice for Norway after giving his club a scare when he was seen limping in training at the start of the break. City team-mate Oscar Bobb also played in those games and scored against Czech Republic, while Jack Grealish is set to return after a four-week lay-off.

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After a poor run of form will Erling Haaland be able to score against Arsenal and William Saliba.

City’s other standout star, Kevin De Bruyne, is also likely to feature. He wasn’t called up by Belgium but could return after a fortnight of rest. Guardiola said: “Kevin is such an important player, it’s been a tough season for him. Having him back is an asset. He trained really well yesterday [Thursday]. We will see what we want to do in the next game.”

Argentina’s Julian Alvarez played Costa Rica in Los Angeles in the early hours of Wednesday morning so will have a delayed return to City training, while Matheus Nunes, who was on the scoresheet for Portugal against Sweden, missed their second game but has appeared in City training this week.

How do Arsenal look?

Arsenal have key men needing to prove their fitness before heading to City. Bukayo Saka withdrew from the England squad as a precaution at the end of last week with a minor muscle problem in his hamstring. It will be hoped he can get back into shape for Sunday, but the winger has been unable to train this week.

Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes was withdrawn from his national team squad as a precaution, with inflammation in the Brazilian’s Achilles a concern.

Gabriel Martinelli also missed out on playing for Brazil with the cut on his foot he suffered at Sheffield United.

Speaking about the trio in his press conference, manager Mikel Arteta said: “Yes, there is a chance [they can play]. They haven’t trained. Tomorrow we have another session.”

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey featured in a behind closed doors friendly during the international window so could be in contention.

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