Man City players

Pep Guardiola's recent starting line-ups and interview comments suggests he has a new strongest Manchester City XI in mind.

If the upcoming must-win Premier League clash with Arsenal was played tomorrow, a wing pairing of Grealish and Mahrez feels like the combination Guardiola would go for. Walker and Cancelo remained on the bench, and it's fair to say that John Stones and Manuel Akanji are City's next two most in-form defenders. Walker, injured for 11 games before the six-week break in November, has started just two league games in the seven post-Qatar fixtures, and completed 90 minutes just once, with Lewis getting praise from the manager for making his teammates better. Kalvin Phillips is back fit but was very underwhelming at Southampton and isn't yet at the standard required to compete with Rodri for a regular starting spot. [Phil Foden](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/phil-foden) had just enjoyed his best season at the Etihad from the left wing, and Bernardo Silva was back to his best. In attack, despite a debate suggesting otherwise, City are at their best with Erling Haaland leading the line - as his 31 goals reinforce.