Guardiola claims Stones ‘not ready’ for game as Arteta waits on Partey injury

Manchester City’s John Stones walks along the touchline having suffered a muscle problem during the FA Cup match against Arsenal. Photograph: David Blunsden/Action Plus/Shutterstock

Pep Guardiola suggested the muscle problem suffered by John Stones in Manchester City’s 1-0 FA Cup win over Arsenal may have been caused by him not being ready in the “first minutes”, while Mikel Arteta has admitted he could be without Thomas Partey after the midfielder was injured in the match.

While Nathan Aké’s second-half strike at the Etihad Stadium on Friday put City into Monday’s fifth-round draw, Guardiola was critical of Stones, who had to be replaced, when asked if the defender suffered a hamstring problem.