Manchester City's crucial Premier League clash with leaders Arsenal is fast approaching but the reigning champions have suffered another worrying injury blow ahead of that showdown.
That man is John Stones, the highly-rated English center-back who started in the Three Lions' showdown with Belgium but was forced to leave the pitch early due to an apparent groin problem.
The 29-year-old was only on the pitch for nine minutes after appearing to hurt his groin while stretching to reach the ball following an uncanny poor touch. The Man City ace thwarted an error and reshuffled possession but had picked up a visible issue. He was subsequently subbed off for Joe Gomez, thus sounding the alarms at the Etihad Stadium.
The Arsenal showdown takes place this Sunday, with the Cityzens, who are third in the table, needing to beat Mikel Arteta's league leaders. Only a point separates these two clubs but Haaland and Co. cannot afford to lose ground in what is arguably one of the most exciting title races in recent memory.
Furthermore, this is not the only injury Man City have suffered recently. Kyle Walker picked up a hamstring issue in England's 1-0 loss to Brazil earlier in this international break, though the issue is not thought to be serious. Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji also suffered up a knock while on international duty while Ederson and Kevin de Bruyne were not called up to their respective national teams.
John Stones on his injury: "I'm not sure yet…" [via @ManuSanchezGom]pic.twitter.com/sl1OZihRyd
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) March 26, 2024
It remains unclear who will miss Sunday's showdown and who will recover in time for the Arsenal game. However, Man City are not the only ones with fitness concerns heading into that Etihad Stadium clash.
Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli missed out on the international break and are reportedly racing against the clock to be fit for Sunday's game. The same is true for Gabriel Magalhães, the North London giants' towering center-back who has helped the Gunners become the best defense in the league.