Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, was visibly emotional as three pivotal Manchester City players suffered injuries during the international break last night. It was a somber moment for Manchester City fans, particularly as the severity of the injuries suggests they could potentially be career-ending.

In the initial period of England’s friendly versus Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday, John Stones had to exit the game due to injury.

Within the first ten minutes of the match, the defender completed a few passes before appearing to clutch his right leg. This incident comes just before Manchester City’s crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s concerns ahead of the weekend are compounded by Kyle Walker’s substitution during England’s defeat to Brazil on Saturday.

While Walker’s injury is believed to be minor, Manuel Akanji’s absence from Switzerland’s match against Ireland and the non-participation of Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish in international duty raise significant concerns for City regarding the fitness of their key players. However, both De Bruyne and Grealish are anticipated to be available for the weekend fixture.

Stones’ potential absence due to injury is particularly concerning given his previous spells on the sidelines this season. The 29-year-old defender plays a crucial role for both his club and country.

City’s players are expected to return to the club on Thursday ahead of the Arsenal match. Guardiola will use this time to assess the fitness of his squad.

Erling Haaland recently revealed that Guardiola had previously advised the players to manage their workload carefully in anticipation of City’s demanding schedule, albeit with a humorous warning that he would “come after them” if they sustained any injuries this week.