JAKARTA - Defenders Kyle Walker and John Stones are confirmed to be absent when Manchester City host Arsenal in the English Premier League big match at the Etihad Stadium, Sunday, March 31, 2024 evening WIB. But midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was able to appear in that crucial match.
A crucial match for the two teams hunting for the league trophy. Man City needs to win in order to keep the competition for the top position.
Currently, Man City, who is ranked third, has 63 points. They are only one point behind Arsenal who are at the top and Liverpool.
It's just that in an effort to win that big game, Man City lost the duo of defenders, Walker and Stones. Both suffered injuries while strengthening England in test matches.
Walker was injured while captaining England against Brazil. He only played for 20 minutes for injury.
Meanwhile, the Stones are still playing full in the match that Brazil won 1-0. But the 29-year-old defender finally played only 10 minutes in the test against Belgium which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Man City hopes Walker's injury is not serious so he can recover before the match against Arsenal. However, the 33-year-old defender's injury is even worse than the Stones.
"That's how it happened," said manager Pep Guardiola. "The Walker injury is more serious than the Stones," he replied. Guardiola declined to comment further. Including the condition of the Stones after being injured.
"I'd better not comment," Guardiola said again
England manager Gareth Southgate was criticized for continuing to field the Stones in the match against Belgium.
The reason is, he has played full in the previous match. But Southgate replied that the Stones were in the best condition and could appear against Belgium. If the defender duo has to be sidelined, on the other hand goalkeeper Ederson has the opportunity to stand again under the bar.
Ederson was already absent when Man City eliminated Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter-finals. He was not called up by the Brazilian national team because he was still recovering.
Apart from Ederson, Man City was again strengthened by De Bruyne. Although still undergoing the recovery process from a groin injury, he has returned to training. This is the second time the Belgian midfielder has suffered an injury.
Previously, he underwent hamstring surgery and had to rest for five months. When he returned to play, De Bruyne was then injured again.
"Kevin is our important player. But he did have a difficult season," said Guardiola. "He's already back in training, but we still have to see his last condition," he said.
Man City does show consistency so that it returns to maintain the league title.
The team has been unbeaten since last December 6. It's just that in the last five matches, The Citizens have drawn twice.
Arsenal will also be Man City's serious opponent. Handled by Mikel Arteta, who was previously Guardiola's assistant at Man City, they won eight games in a row.
Arsenal also showed productivity by scoring 33 goals during the match.
In last season's duel, Man City won 4-1 over Arsenal. The victory that helped Man City tackle Arsenal from the table and then won the Premier League for the third time.
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