John Stones is named on Manchester City's bench for this afternoon's Premier League showdown against leaders Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola stated at Friday's press conference that both Stones and Kyle Walker would miss the visit of the Gunners after picking up injuries on international duty with England.

While Walker is indeed not involved, along with first-choice goalkeeper Ederson who has not recovered in time from a muscle problem, Stones makes a surprise appearance among the Citizens' substitutes.

Guardiola has made just two changes to the side that beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals before the international break, with Nathan Ake and Kevin De Bruyne - the latter has recovered from a groin injury - starting at the expense of Walker and Jeremy Doku.

Stefan Ortega keeps his place in goal in the absence of Ederson, while Manuel Akanji is set to play at right-back, joining Ruben Dias, Ake and Josko Gvardiol in a four-man defence.

Rodri and Mateo Kovacic will like arms in centre-midfield as De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden all provide support in attack for Erling Haaland up front.

As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has made only one alternation to the lineup that beat Porto on penalties in the Champions League last 16 almost three weeks ago, with Gabriel Jesus returning to start against his former club at the expense of Leandro Trossard, who drops down to the bench.

The big news for the Gunners is that Gabriel Magalhaes and Bukayo Saka are both fit to start - the former joins Ben White, William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior in the back four, while Saka starts on the right flank.

Declan Rice, Jorginho and Martin Odegaard all start in centre-midfield, while Kai Havertz joins Saka and Jesus in attack.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli - who scored the winner in Arsenal's 1-0 triumph over Man City in the reverse fixture at the Emirates in October - is fit to make the substitutes' bench.

Manchester City: Ortega; Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland

Subs: Carson, Stones, Grealish, Doku, Alvarez, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis

Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Jesus

Subs: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Zinchenko, Partey, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Trossard, Martinelli, Nketiah