Early team news: Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden starting places revealed for Manchester City against Arsenal

News surrounding Kevin De Bruyne and his status for Manchester City’s meeting with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon is among the early team news ahead of the contest.

The two Premier League title challengers go head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium in the first domestic clash for both clubs after the final international break of the ongoing season – a gap in the season that had it’s impact on the hosts in particular.

Pep Guardiola was forced to watch on from Barcelona whilst both Kyle Walker and John Stones sustained injury concerns on duty with England, with City’s club captain sustaining a hamstring problem in a 0-1 defeat to Brazil.

As for Stones, Manchester City’s versatile central defensive option sustained an adductor injury during a dramatic 2-2 draw with Belgium, however it is initially understood that his issue is not as bad as Walker’s.

Nevertheless, both absences will force Guardiola into selection dilemmas at the back of Manchester City’s line-up this weekend, while the midfield and attacking formation largely decides itself in a game of this magnitude.

Ahead of official confirmation of team news from the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, sources on social media channels have began revealing elements of Pep Guardiola’s selection, with the first details provided by FPLMaineRoad on X.

According to the information of FPLMaineRoad, Kevin De Bruyne – despite his fitness problems that forced an omission from the recent Belgium squad – starts for Manchester City against Arsenal this weekend.

Joining the club’s vice-captain in the attacking regions of the pitch, as per the information of FplToni on X, is Phil Foden. However, it remains to be seen where the Englishman will be deployed despite his excellent showings in the attacking midfield areas.

In a surprise detail, as confirmed by the Manchester Evening News’ Tyrone Marshall, John Stones arrived with the Manchester City matchday squad at the Etihad Stadium. Additional reporting from ESPN’s Rob Dawson has indicated a place on the bench for the centre-back.

Despite their respective fitness issues during the closing stages of the international break, and their recent appearances in training this week, Manuel Akanji and Mathues Nunes have both made themselves available with the squad, according to the Times’ Paul Hirst.

Unfortunately for Manchester City, the game has come too soon for Ederson, who does not make the Premier League champions’ squad despite Pep Guardiola revealing on Friday that his Brazilian goalkeeper was “much, much better” after a thigh injury sustained against Liverpool.

In an update from the Arsenal side of things, FplToni has further reported on X that all of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel, and former Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus start for the Gunners at the Etihad. Sam C has further revealed Kai Havertz makes the Gunners eleven.

Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta are expected to confirm their respective Manchester City and Arsenal starting line-ups from 15:30 (UK).

Refresh for updates.