Man City vs Arsenal LIVE! Premier League result, match stream and latest updates today

Man City vs Arsenal LIVE!

John Stones struck in the 98th-minute to earn Manchester City a point and break Arsenal hearts in a remarkable encounter at the Etihad. The Gunners played the entire second period with ten men after Leandro Trossard’s red card and were seconds away from a first win at the ground in nine years, but Stones delivered late on to make it 2-2 with near enough the final kick.

It had been a sensational start from City, who took the lead through Erling Haaland and threatened to run away with it in the early stages, as Ilkay Gundogan then smacked a free-kick against the outside of the post. The momentum of the match turned on an injury to Rodri, who jarred his knee at a corner and was forced off, with that delay allowing Arsenal to reset and slow the City charge.

Riccardo Calafiori, making his full debut, whipped in a stunning equaliser from distance, before the familiar sight of Gabriel rising highest at the back post to head home from a corner put the Gunners in front. Mikel Arteta’s side enjoyed their best spell of the match before half-time, but suffered a huge blow seconds before the break. Trossard, already on a yellow card, conceded a free-kick and booted the ball up the pitch, and he was duly sent off for delaying the restart.

Arsenal resorted to a 5-4-0 formation in the second-half, all outfield players camped on the edge of their own box with effectively no respite from their defensive efforts. City had 26 shots in the half, and it was not until the last of those that they found a way past the Arsenal wall. Mateo Kovacic’s strike was deflected into the path of Stones, and he turned into an empty net.

Man City vs Arsenal latest news

• GOAL! Stones snatches point in final seconds

• RED CARD! Trossard off before half-time

• GOAL! Gabriel heads Gunners in front

• GOAL! Calafiori levels with stunner

• GOAL! Haaland gives Man City perfect start

All hands to the pump!

19:20 , Matt Verri

Arsenal players went a long, long time without the ball this afternoon.

Not a single completed pass from Kai Havertz or Jurrien Timber.

So close for Arsenal...

18:46 , Matt Verri

Might not know until May how crucial that point will be for Man City.

It was fairly messy in the end, but they will not care one bit.

FT: Man City 2-2 Arsenal

18:39 , Matt Verri

And that is that in Manchester.

The points are shared after a remarkable 100 minutes.

Arsenal were seconds away from a stunning victory, but it’s still a hugely impressive point.

Man City 2-2 Arsenal

18:38 , Matt Verri

90+9 mins: This match might never finish.

Haaland bundles into Partey from the restart and it all kicks off. Gabriel and Haaland with a shoving match, before Kiwior and Gundogan have a go.

GOAL! Man City 2-2 Arsenal | John Stones 90+8'

18:37 , Matt Verri

CITY HAVE THEIR EQUALISER!

From a corner, ball bounced around. Raya made the initial save but Stones was there to turn it in.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:36 , Matt Verri

90+7 mins: Raya off his line to claim!

And he has four Arsenal players jumping on top of him to celebrate it like a goal.

Ball lumped forward, Dias back to Ederson and Havertz very nearly sneaks in before the goalkeeper. City just about survive.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:35 , Matt Verri

90+6 mins: Sensational from Jesus, crowds out Silva. But he then has his appeals for a free-kick waved away, City corner instead.

Arsenal not there yet...

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:33 , Matt Verri

90+4 mins: Jesus wins it back, Lewis-Skelly can only slice the ball out of play.

Grealish then stops Havertz breaking, here come City again. Could still be five minutes left.

Lewis-Skelly nice and calm in ticking away a few seconds... but it’s coming back.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:31 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Lewis-Skelly is on for Timber. Arsenal giving up on a formation... everyone back.

Haaland flicks a header at goal, easy for Raya. He might take about six minutes to get up.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:29 , Matt Verri

90 mins: City players are FURIOUS.

Long delay, Timber then goes down after that. Played waved on, Raya boots the ball up the pitch... and then the referee does stop the play.

Seven minutes added on. We’re going to get a lot more than that.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:28 , Matt Verri

89 mins: City going side to side on the edge of the box, the shot is coming at some point...

There it is, bodies fly in the way to deny Dias. Drops for Foden, but he can’t get a clean shot away.

Ball bobbles through to Raya. Gabriel the latest to go down.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:26 , Matt Verri

87 mins: Massive save!

Gvardiol on the volley, Raya down to make the save yet again. White smacks it out of play.

There is that Arsenal change, Jesus on against his former club.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:24 , Matt Verri

85 mins: Silva drifting inside, inside, inside... played to Dias and he hammers a strike over the bar from distance.

Martinelli down with cramp, Michael Oliver is telling the Arsenal players to get up.

He’s had enough of the time-wasting. Rice booked for his efforts.

Martinelli is coming off, Jesus on.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:21 , Matt Verri

82 mins: Silva’s deflected cross, Raya out to claim in.

Gabriel and Haaland were having a bit of a wrestling match in the middle, nothing doing though.

Havertz then wins a free-kick in the City half - maybe the second time Arsenal have made it this far up the pitch since the break.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:19 , Matt Verri

80 mins: Man City have had 20 shots since half-time, 14 of them from outside the box.

Into the final ten minutes we go. Havertz and Rice working so hard on either side of the ‘midfield’, getting across to help out wide.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:17 , Matt Verri

78 mins: Foden drives into the box, on his right foot and it’s sliced high and wide.

Guardiola turns to his bench again. Grealish and Stones on, Savinho and Walker off.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:15 , Matt Verri

76 mins: Walker continues to fire away from distance, Arsenal continue to get bodies in the way.

Jorginho basically like another manager on the touchline, he is screaming at his Arsenal team-mates, passing on instructions.

Dias with a shot from miles out, Raya topples on top of it.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:13 , Matt Verri

74 mins: Kiwior is on, he’ll go over to wing-back on the left.

There’s going to be a lot of time added on the way this is going. Still got to be more than 20 minutes left for Arsenal to hang on.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:11 , Matt Verri

72 mins: Space there for Dias, 25 yards out.

Low strike takes a big deflection, fortunately falls for Raya to claim as Foden came charging in.

Calafiori has gone down off the ball. Kiwior getting ready to come on.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:10 , Matt Verri

71 mins: Perfect from Havertz, from an Arsenal perspective.

Challenges in the air with Dias, gets an elbow in the head and wins a cheap free-kick. More seconds ticked away.

Gabriel and Calafiori have come up for this, five Arsenal players are in the box.

Partey nods it down for Calafiori, who is free but can’t sort his feet out in time.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:08 , Matt Verri

69 mins: White out quickly to block Akanji’s effort. Arsenal working so, so hard.

Savinho gets fed up of the patient play, tries his luck from 25 yards out. Always rising over the bar.

Guardiola turns to his bench. Doku off, Foden on. Just what the Gunners need....

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:06 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Believe it or not, Raya is fine to continue. He’s done his job, slowing things down and allowing that team talk.

Haaland tries a deft flick... nothing deft about the clearance from Gabriel. All the way back to Ederson.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:04 , Matt Verri

65 mins: Havertz over for a discussion with Arteta, helped by the fact Raya has taken a seat.

Says he needs some treatment before this goal-kick... fair to say City fans are not convinced.

Lewis-Skelly is warming up for Arsenal and he has been booked. No idea what that is for.

Arteta calls everyone over for a team talk. Huuuuuge 25 minutes plus stoppage-time to come.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:03 , Matt Verri

64 mins: Rice can play Martinelli away, but the Brazilian can’t take it with him and Walker is swiftly on the scene. Back come City.

Savinho running at Calafiori, who does really well. Ball bounces back off the City winger, goal-kick.

Raya will take every possible second.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

18:00 , Matt Verri

62 mins: Walker with his latest effort from distance, deflected wide. Gabriel just about got himself in the way.

Gundogan takes it short, eventually clipped in and it’s not dealt with by Partey.

Gvardiol gets the shot away, catches it sweetly. Raya there again. Great save.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:59 , Matt Verri

60 mins: After 15 minutes of this half, City have had 109 passes in the Arsenal half.

Arsenal have had two in the City half. I don’t remember either of them.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:57 , Matt Verri

59 mins: Another corner, another one taken short.

Haaland’s header, brilliant save from Raya! Falls for Silva, he fires the rebound over the bar.

Arsenal hanging on for dear life.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:56 , Matt Verri

57 mins: Walker does try his luck from distance, Raya parries it out and Arsenal hack it away.

But there is literally nobody up for Arsenal. It’s a nine-man defence... can they do this for another 35 minutes?

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:55 , Matt Verri

56 mins: Almost as though Arsenal are tempting City to shot from 20 yards out. All the space in the world on the edge of the box for the cut back.

City corner taken short, White with the header. Comes to Akanji, shot deflected wide.

Another corner...

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:53

54 mins: Arsenal have everyone on the edge of their own box.

City as patient as ever, working it side to side. Kovacic tries a clever pass, but there’s just no room.

Ball breaks loose, White can just smash the ball out of play towards the halfway line.

Simon Collings at the Etihad

17:51 , Matt Verri

Whatever you think about the red card, there's no denying it's ruined this game as a spectacle.

Arsenal now, rightly, parking the bus and City trying to break them down.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:50 , Matt Verri

51 mins: Havertz tries to get the ball up the pitch, but it’s him against three City players and he’s crowded out.

Savinho down after a challenge from Calafiori, referee waves away the appeals but the linesman has given it.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:47

49 mins: Haaland has a header saved, before Kovacic blasts over from 20 yards out.

Arsenal doing everything they can to tick away the seconds, but this is going to be a long, long 45 minutes for them.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:46 , Matt Verri

47 mins: Loud boos from the Man City fans, as Raya collects the loose ball and takes as long as physically possible to get back up.

It’s a 5-4-0 from Arsenal. Havertz on the right, Martinelli on the left, Partey and Rice between them.

White on the right of the three centre-backs, with Timber and Calafiori as the wing-backs.

Dan Kilpatrick at the Etihad

17:44 , Matt Verri

The introduction of White for Saka suggests Arsenal are going to park the bus for 45 minutes.

Five defenders on the field and just Martinelli left of their starting front three.

Back underway!

17:44 , Matt Verri

Change from Arsenal at the break.

Big one - Saka off, White on. Time to find out if Arsenal can hang on for 45 minutes.

Red card explained

17:37 , Matt Verri

Premier League have issued their statement on the Trossard red card.

Arsenal will point to Jeremy Doku kicking the ball away earlier in the half and not getting booked, but it’s not particular smart from Trossard.

Already on a yellow, booted the ball up the pitch after giving away a foul.

Arsenal in front...

17:34 , Matt Verri

Before that red card, it was all looking so good for Arsenal.

Playing well and in front, after yet another goal from a corner. Gabriel such a threat.

That feels a long time ago now...

Dan Kilpatrick at the Etihad

17:28 , Matt Verri

A breathless first half comes to an end and not clear which manager will feel in a stronger position.

Arsenal have the lead but will have to play 45 minutes against City a man down after Trossard's dismissal.

A huge test of Arsenal's mettle to come.

HT: Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:27 , Matt Verri

And that’s half-time.

Arteta cannot believe it on the touchline, he is furious. Big hug for Trossard on his way past.

Chaotic 45 minutes... and more of the same to come, you’d imagine.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:25 , Matt Verri

45+8 mins: RED CARD!

Trossard is off - Arsenal are down to ten. This is incredible.

Gunners give away a free-kick, Trossard knocks the ball away and it’s a second yellow card.

Madness.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:25 , Matt Verri

45+7 mins: Cynical as you like from Partey.

Trossard lost the ball, City were breaking and Partey swiftly slides in to hack Savinho down. Yellow card, good foul to make.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:23 , Matt Verri

45+5 mins: Doku runs at Timber, Arsenal right-back is up to the task though.

Tries to boot it clear, City quickly back on the attack. Going to be a long couple of minutes for those in red.

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

17:20 , Matt Verri

45+3 mins: Six minutes added on - we’ll get a couple more than that after the goal.

Dias has been booked, he was complaining that there was a foul as the corner came in.

Arsenal with everyone back as they try and make it to half-time.

Simon Collings at the Etihad

17:19 , Matt Verri

Rice screaming at his team-mates now after that goal, telling them to switch on.

Big few minutes before the break.

GOAL! Man City 1-2 Arsenal | Gabriel 45+1'

17:18 , Matt Verri

ARSENAL IN FRONT!

City had their warning, this time they are punished.

The same routine. Saka to the back post, Gabriel with the header and the Gunners take the lead!

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

17:17 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Saka slides in Rice on the overlap, he gets to the byline and has a couple of players to pick out. Has to settle for a corner...

Simon Collings at the Etihad

17:15 , Matt Verri

Arsenal playing with a bit of swagger as this half comes to an end.

Look a different team from that opening 15 minutes.

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

17:15 , Matt Verri

42 mins: Lovely move from the Gunners, patient build-up and Gabriel then plays Martinelli in down the left.

Cuts it back into the path of Trossard, he’s on the stretch and guides the finish wide. Arsenal’s best move of the match.

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

17:13 , Matt Verri

40 mins: Much better spell for Arsenal, stopped the one-way traffic.

Not doing much with the ball, but just keeping it has given them a foothold in this match again. Needed it, after that rampant City start.

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

17:11 , Matt Verri

38 mins: And Arsenal should probably score from it!

Saka swings it to the back post, Doku of all people trying to block Gabriel and he has no chance.

Centre-back gets up, near enough a free header but he can’t direct it at goal. Huge moment.

Dan Kilpatrick at the Etihad

17:09 , Matt Verri

It's been all Manchester City since the Arsenal equaliser, with Pep Guardiola's side playing at a fierce intensity and forcing the visitors to largely play in their own half.

Mikel Arteta should be quietly satisfied by his side's position, though, particularly given their quality at set pieces and on the counter.

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

17:09 , Matt Verri

36 mins: Arsenal have not really had a single spell of sustained possession in this match, until now.

Rice and the centre-backs getting on the ball, bringing a bit of control for the visitors.

Worked nicely down the right, Saka wins a corner.

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

17:07 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Arsenal frustrated - Doku seems to stop the free-kick being taken quickly, no yellow card.

Trossard then is booked seconds later, Michael Oliver deeming he dragged Savinho back.

Does feel like a match that could kick off at some point this afternoon.

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

17:05 , Matt Verri

32 mins: City again look for Savinho, this time too much on it and the winger can’t catch up with it.

After a frantic start, this match has settled down into the pattern we probably expected. City dominating the ball, a wall of red shirts in front of them.

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

17:02 , Matt Verri

29 mins: Savinho beats Calafiori, clips a ball into the box. Saliba challenges in the air with Haaland, does enough to stop the striker getting a header at goal.

Dias swing another cross in, Saliba there again. Arsenal being pinned right back again.

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

16:59 , Matt Verri

26 mins: City back to dominating the possession, Arsenal happy to sit back for now after that goal.

Threat is coming down City’s right, Silva drifting out to combine with Savinho. Martinelli doing well to get back and help Calafiori out.

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

16:57 , Matt Verri

24 mins: City players were furious after that goal. Came from a free-kick, which they felt was taken well in front of where it should have been.

Ederson booked for his complaints.

Simon Collings at the Etihad

16:56 , Matt Verri

So much for it being a snoozefest...

Dan Kilpatrick at the Etihad

16:56 , Matt Verri

What a moment from Riccardo Calafiori, who clearly was not about to let his full Arsenal debut be defined by his part in City's goal.

A wonderful finish from the left-back. Arsenal now level in the game and facing a City side without Rodri or Kevin de Bruyne.

This feels like a huge opportunity for the Gunners.

GOAL! Man City 1-1 Arsenal | Riccardo Calafiori 22'

16:55

STUNNING!

Arsenal are level, a wonderful finish from Calafiori. He charges over to celebrate with Arteta.

Played back to him by Martinelli, and the left-back whips it first time into the far corner from 20 yards out.

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

16:53 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Rodri able to limp off, but that’s the end of his afternoon.

Arsenal clear the corner, looks like Kovacic will be coming on at the next break in play.

Simon Collings at the Etihad

16:51 , Matt Verri

A handy break in play for Arsenal, here.

City have started like a train and the Gunners could do with a minute to catch their breath and reorganise.

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

16:51 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Kovacic warming up, with Rodri still down.

He has jarred his right knee as he made the run to the near post, immediately collapsed and screamed in pain.

He’s got his head in his hands.

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

16:49 , Matt Verri

16 mins: Rodri falls over, just as the corner was about to be taken.

He looks in a fair bit of pain - not sure what has happened there.

Replays suggest he got a bit of a nudge from Partey, but he could have landed awkwardly. Appears to be his knee.

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

16:47 , Matt Verri

15 mins: Off the post!

Gundogan whips it around the wall, smacks off the outside of the post. Not sure Raya was getting there.

Relentless pressure, Walker shoves Martinelli out of play and wins a corner in the process.

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

16:46 , Matt Verri

13 mins: Ominous signs for Arsenal, City look right up for this.

Savinho and Doku staying really wide, the switch is on all the time. Gunners being pushed back, have to make sure this doesn’t get away from them.

Savinho down just outside the area, free-kick in a perfect position.

Dan Kilpatrick at the Etihad

16:44 , Matt Verri

Erling Haaland brings up 100 goals in 105 games for City - a remarkable milestone - and he owes significant credit to Savinho.

The winger left Riccardo Calafiori for dead before releasing Haaland. A difficult moment for Arsenal's full debutant.

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

16:43 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Now then, Arsenal are behind in an away game for the first time in 2024.

For once they do not have a lead to sit back on - going to have to come out and push at some point.

GOAL! Man City 1-0 Arsenal | Erling Haaland 9'

16:41 , Matt Verri

Perfect start for City!

There’s a huge amount of space between Gabriel and Saliba... don’t want to be doing that with Haaland around.

Savinho plays him clean through on goal and there’s no doubt about the outcome from that point. Ruthless finish.

Man City 0-0 Arsenal

16:40 , Matt Verri

7 mins: First chance... big chance, too.

Savinho fires the ball into the box, it’s a brilliant first touch for Gundogan. Waits for it to drop, should do better with the volley but it’s wide.

Man City 0-0 Arsenal

16:38 , Matt Verri

5 mins: Tetchy feel to this match already. Haaland clatters into Saliba, never getting near the ball with that. Just a warning.

City pressing really high up the pitch, not giving Arsenal a second. Gunners aren’t sitting back either - more aggressive from both than maybe we expected.

Man City 0-0 Arsenal

16:35 , Matt Verri

3 mins: Well, that was a dramatic start. VAR has cleared it and on we go.

Fair to say Rodri isn’t looking too thrilled with life as he waits on the touchline, before eventually being called back on.

Simon Collings at the Etihad

16:34 , Matt Verri

My esteemed colleague and I are sat right behind the Arsenal analysts.

Will see how quickly they turn round and ask for our insight.

Man City 0-0 Arsenal

16:34 , Matt Verri

1 min: We’ve played about four seconds and Rodri has gone down.

Ball played back to Ederson, Havertz jogs forward and clashes with Rodri, who is holding his face.

Was there an elbow from Havertz? Physios are on for Rodri, who is still down.

KICK-OFF!

16:32 , Matt Verri

Underway at the Etihad!

16:31 , Matt Verri

A minute’s applause ahead of kick-off, as tributes are paid to Sir Howard Bernstein.

“The man most responsible for the thriving, modern Manchester,” says Gary Neville.

Here we go!

16:27 , Matt Verri

Teams are out onto the pitch.

Michael Oliver the referee - fingers crossed that’s the last time we need to mention him...

Not long now...

16:22 , Matt Verri

Warm-ups done, kick-off just under ten minutes away.

Victor for Man City and they will go five points clear of Arsenal, which would already feel like a significant gap.

But should the Gunners secure all three points, they will move to the top of the table, with renewed belief that they really can go all the way in the title race this season.

Haaland with point to prove?

16:13 , Matt Verri

Erling Haaland was quiet in the two matches against Arsenal last season, Gabriel and William Saliba got the better of him. The striker didn’t have a single shot on target.

Man City star will be desperate to put that right this afternoon, having already scored nine Premier League goals this season.

Having failed to score against Inter Milan in midweek, have to feel it won’t be long until Haaland is celebrating again.

Simon Collings at the Etihad

16:07 , Matt Verri

A lot of talk that Arsenal’s point at City last season was a bad one. Got to consider their previous record v City.

The four points Arsenal won off City last season was double the amount they managed across their previous 15 meetings.

Elsewhere in the Premier League

16:03 , Matt Verri

Goals, red cards... it’s been a fun start to Super Sunday.

Now, all eyes on the Etihad. Not sure we’re going to get quite same level of drama, but we will see.

Arteta discusses team selection

15:50 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta has explained his decision to drop Ben White for their showdown with Manchester City.

White was named on the Arsenal bench at the Etihad, with Jurrien Timber starting at right-back at and £42million signing Riccardo Calafiori in at left-back for his first Premier League start.

White had not started a Premier League game on the bench for Arsenal since May 2022.

Explaining his decision to name White on the bench, Arteta said: “It was a little bit forced [to drop Ben White and start Riccardo Calafiori], but we are ok.

“We've done it with different players but we have full belief in the players we have. It gives us something different.”

Saka with the armband

15:40 , Matt Verri

Bukayo Saka captains Arsenal this afternoon.

No Martin Odegaard, no Jorginho, so it’s the Arsenal winger leading out the Gunners.

We’ve seen Saka combine superbly with Odegaard and Ben White so often in the past - neither of them in the starting lineup here.

Interesting to see what he can do with Jurrien Timber behind him.

Simon Collings at the Etihad

15:33 , Matt Verri

Arsenal’s last win at the Etihad came in January 2015.

An absolutely miserable record since then, as most clubs do to be fair, but this afternoon is the chance to lay down a marker.

Big calls from both managers

15:23 , Matt Verri

Ben White drops to the bench for Arsenal, as Jurrien Timber moves to right-back and Riccardo Calafiori comes in for a full debut.

It’s otherwise pretty much as expected. Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz will provide the threat through the middle, with Declan Rice in to partner Thomas Partey.

As for Man City, no Kevin De Bruyne in the squad. Jack Grealish and Phil Foden on the bench, as both Savinho and Jeremy Doku start.

Arsenal team news

15:18

Starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

Subs: Neto, White, Kiwior, Kacurri, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus

Man City team news

15:15 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho, Doku, Haaland

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Stones, Kovacic, Grealish, Nunes, Foden, Lewis, McAtee

Stage is set!

15:04 , Matt Verri

Just over 90 minutes to go until kick-off in Manchester.

We’ll be getting all the team news from the Etihad very, very soon.

Guardiola: Etihad clash will not decide title

14:57

Pep Guardiola is not viewing today’s clash as the chance to lay down an early marker in the title race.

Manchester City have the chance to open up a five-point lead over Arsenal, their closest challengers in the past two seasons, with victory.

Yet Guardiola feels it is too soon to be drawing any long-term conclusions from the game and is more concerned about setting the tone for City's campaign.

Guardiola said: "At an early stage of the season, it is nothing more than the mood for the next games.

"In terms of the table it isn't very important. It will be important when we go to London in the second part of the season.

"It is so important but in terms of winning or losing the Premier League it's not. After five games that's never important.

"But if we don't think Arsenal, with the quality they have, is important we will be wrong."

Arteta urges Arsenal to improve

14:50 , Giuseppe Muro

Mikel Arteta knows Arsenal need to address their lack of punch up front if they are to lay a glove on Manchester City.

The Gunners' reliance on captain Martin Odegaard, who faces a spell out with an ankle injury, was illustrated in their 0-0 Champions League opener against Atalanta in Italy.

Gabriel Jesus returned to the attack, and took the skipper's armband, but looked off the pace and went off before the hour mark.

Bukayo Saka forced a good save from Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi and Gabriel Martinelli skied a glorious late chance, but it was a flat display and not one to suggest the Gunners can trouble City.

"Yes, we want to improve in certain areas but in order to do that it's important that we have to be much, much better," said Arsenal boss Arteta.

"We never got distances or the right relationships, or put the ball in areas where they really suffer. We need to be a lot more consistent if we want the team to flow.

"For sure we will prepare to try and win. That's been the message already. In order to do that there are going to be things that we have to do much better than against Atalanta.

"There are some things that we have done exceptionally well and we are going to have to do them again. Because we all know we need a big performance to beat them."

14:43 , Giuseppe Muro

Arsenal and Manchester City have already met today… at the Emirates in the WSL.

They played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, with Vivianne Miedema scoring on her return to Emirates Stadium but Beth Mead scoring a late equaliser for Arsenal.

The Gunners would probably take that result again at the Etihad this afternoon.

Man City v Arsenal stats

14:35 , Giuseppe Muro

- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League home games against Arsenal (W7 D2) since a 2-0 defeat in January 2015.

- Having won their first four Premier League games this season, Manchester City are looking to become the first team in English top-flight history to win their first five in five different campaigns, previously doing so in 1912-13, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2023-24.

- Arsenal haven't trailed in any of their last 11 away league games and could become the first side in Premier League history to go 12 successive matches on the road without falling behind in any (Aston Villa – also 11 between March and November 1998).

- Bukayo Saka has been involved in five of Arsenal’s six Premier League goals so far this season (1 goal, 4 assists), assisting a goal in all four games so far. In Premier League history, only Thierry Henry (2004-05) has provided an assist in each of a team’s first five matches in a season.

City advantage?

14:29 , Giuseppe Muro

Manchester City could have a slight advantage following this week's European activity.

Pep Guardiola's side have had an extra day's rest after playing Inter Milan at home on Wednesday while the Gunners were in action away at Atalanta on Thursday.

It is a situation the City manager is happy to accept given that he feels the schedule often works against his club.

Guardiola said: "It's an advantage but I could make a list of, in the last six years, how many times we have had this 'advantage' against us, against tough opponents, when we've had less days of recovery. I'd have a huge list to show you.

"But, of course, it is a little bit of an advantage."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: "We wanted the same as them, we're not getting it, so we have to adapt and make the most of the time that we have to prepare in the best way to go there and win the game.

"We knew the schedule and that it's extremely rare to play in these conditions with three massive away games in six days. But it was what it is so we have prepared for that, physically, mentally and tactically.

"We want to be in the position we're in - we dreamed of this years ago and we're in this position right now. Let's make the most out of it and enjoy it.”

Guardiola: People expect Man City to be wiped 'from face of Earth'

14:21 , Giuseppe Muro

Ahead of today’s game, Pep Guardiola he said he feels some of Manchester City's detractors want to see the club wiped "from the face of the Earth".

City are facing the threat of a points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League after being charged with 115 breaches of the competition's regulations following an investigation into their financial affairs.

A long-awaited hearing into the matter began earlier this week and a verdict is expected to be delivered next year.

City manager Guardiola has claimed previously that some of the club's rivals want to see them found guilty and he appears in no doubt they would expect punishment to be severe.

Guardiola brought up the matter unprompted at a press conference on Friday while ostensibly delivering an answer about the tendency of people to overly criticise isolated bad performances.

He said: "During a season, you can say, 'Oh, it was a bad season'.

"But for performances some people say, 'Oh, it's a disgrace, it is a disaster, it's unacceptable'. No, during 90 minutes it's one bad afternoon when they were better.

"But I would say - I'm sorry, I want to defend my club, especially in these modern days when everyone is expecting us not to be relegated, to be disappeared off the face of the Earth, the world - that we have better afternoons than the opponents. That's why we win a lot."

14:14 , Giuseppe Muro

Need something to get in the mood Arsenal fans?

This should do the trick…

Saka: Arsenal going to Man City to win

14:08 , Giuseppe Muro

Bukayo Saka insists Arsenal will be gunning for victory this afternoon.

The Gunners received criticism in some quarters for their defensive approach in last season's 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

It was a result which ultimately proved costly as the Gunners went on to miss out on the Premier League title to City by two points.

Mikel Arteta's side were not exactly gung-ho on the attack in their midweek goalless draw at Atalanta in their Champions League opener, either.

But Saka says they do not listen to the snipers, insisting: "To be honest, I don't really care.

"We know what we believed, we know what we went there to achieve. Only we know the real truth. We went there to win and we are going to do that again this Sunday."

Saka admits Martin Odegaard’s absence is a major loss, but is backing the Gunners to find a way to cope without him.

"Yeah, you know how much I love Martin," added the 23-year-old.

"He is a world-class player and we are going to miss him.

"We have to adapt. We have strength and players who can also play in his position. We will find a solution until he is back."

Man City vs Arsenal latest odds

14:00 , Giuseppe Muro

Man City to win: 4/6

Draw: 2/1

Arsenal to win: 10/3

Odds via Betfair and subject to change.

Head to head history and results

13:53 , Giuseppe Muro

Man City wins: 65

Draws: 46

Arsenal wins: 100

Man City vs Arsenal prediction

13:46 , Giuseppe Muro

Neither team will want to give much away this early into the season and it could be cagey like it was here last season.

Draw, 1-1.

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