John Stones and Kyle Walker: Possible Replacements for Injured Man City Stars Ahead of Arsenal Clash

• Manchester City suffered a double injury blow during the international break
• Kyle Walker picked up a hamstring issue during England's loss versus Brazil
• John Stones suffered an adductor injury in England's game against Belgium

The injury bug has struck Manchester City again.

Kyle Walker and John Stones suffered injuries while reporting for international duty with England.

It comes at the worst possible time for Pep Guardiola, with City set to face Arsenal this weekend in a top-of-the-table clash.

Sports Brief looks at the possible replacements for Walker and Stones ahead of the all-important Premier League encounter.

Possible replacements for John Stones

John Stones' 2023-24 season has been a nightmare, to say the least.

He has played in only half of Manchester City's 28 league matches this campaign, largely because of a hip injury he picked up before the start of the season, per The Athletic.

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Stones looked to have finally put those injury concerns behind him, starting in City's last four league matches. Unfortunately for the star defender, an adductor problem he picked up in the game against Belgium may see him back on the sidelines once more.

Guardiola turned to the following players when Stones was out of City's lineup in the Premier League this season.

Mateo Kovacic

Kovacic has made 20 appearances for City in the Premier League this season, 10 of which were starts. He started in City's first four league matches this campaign when Stones was out because of a hip problem, per TransferMarkt.

It's not a like-for-like replacement, though, as the Englishman is more of a defensive midfielder. It will be interesting to see if Guardiola will trust Kovacic to handle that position in the game against Arsenal.

Matheus Nunes

Nunes has made 13 appearances for the defending champions in the Premier League this season, eight of which were starts.

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He has been an unused substitute, however, in four of City's last five league matches. He last played a Premier League match in the game against Bournemouth on February 24.

Mahamadou Susoho

If Guardiola wants a like-for-like replacement for Stones, he may turn to 19-year-old Mahamadou Susoho.

It will be risky, though, to give him a start in the game against Arsenal, as he has yet to play for Manchester City in the English top flight before.

He was an unused substitute in City's game against Chelsea on February 17.

Possible replacements for Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker has been a vital cog for Manchester City this season. He has made 26 appearances in the Premier League this campaign, all but one of which were starts.

His status for the game against Arsenal remains uncertain, though, after he picked up an apparent hamstring injury in the first half of England's match against Brazil.

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Guardiola turned to the following players when Walker was out of City's lineup in the Premier League this season.

Ruben Dias

Dias was part of City's three-man defence the last time Walker was out of their lineup in the Premier League.

He formed a defensive partnership with Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake in City's 1-0 win over Bournemouth on February 24.

Guardiola may turn to that trio again for Sunday's game against Arsenal. Dias was an unused substitute in City's last league match against Liverpool.

Josko Gvardiol

Gvardiol may be given a surprise start against Arsenal, given City's injury problems. The 22-year-old defender also has just recovered from an ankle injury, with his last league game for Man City coming on February 5 against Brentford.

He was an unused substitute in City's last two league matches against Manchester United and Liverpool. He has made 18 appearances for Manchester City in the Premier League this season, 16 of which were starts.

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Rico Lewis

If Guardiola decides to employ a four-man defence against Arsenal, he may turn to Rico Lewis as his starting right-back for that contest.

He has made 10 appearances for City in the Premier League this season, five of which were starts. He last started for City in the Premier League in the game against Burnley on January 31.

Saka among Arsenal's injury concerns

Sports Brief also reported on the injury concerns for Arsenal ahead of their showdown with City.

Bukayo Saka pulled out of England's squad before their friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

The Arsenal star was reported to have a minor muscle problem which saw him sidelined.