Manchester City vs Arsenal – Match Preview and team news

The Premier League’s most likely title contenders go to battle this weekend as Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad. Last season’s top two, the result could have a huge say on who lifts the trophy in May.

Mikel Arteta knows Pep Guardiola extremely well having been an integral part of his coaching team at City, but the student is yet to overcome the master with Guardiola winning four consecutive league titles.

In recent years, City against Arenal has always been a high-stakes game as hardly anything separates the two sides and they are poised to rechallenge each other.

There will be a late fitness test for Kevin de Bruyne after the Belgian was substituted at half-time in their Champions League game against Inter in midweek, whilst Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb remain sidelined.

Arsenal may be without captain Martin Odegaard until the middle of November and the Gunners are still be unable to call upon Mikel Merino, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Manchester City vs Arsenal – Match Preview and team news

Form

Manchester City: WWWWD

Manchester City failed to win for the first time this campaign in midweek as they were held to a goalless stalemate against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

After looking ruthless in front of goal in recent games, Erling Haaland and the rest of City’s attack laboured against the Serie A champions in Manchester.

The Norwegian will be looking to record his tenth goal in just five league games this weekend and if the striker manages to do so, it will be the quickest a player has reached double figures for goals in a season in Premier League history.

Apart from that slight lull in form in midweek, City look to be back to their best under Guardiola with a perfect record in the league. If they manage to overcome Arsenal on Sunday, they could be set for a fifth consecutive Premier League trophy lift.

Arsenal: WWDWD

Similarly to their opponents on Sunday, Arsenal also played out a 0-0 draw in the Champions League against Italian opposition during midweek.

The Gunners couldn’t break down the resilient Atalanta defence and were slightly fortuitous not to concede after David Raya pulled off heroics with a fantastic double save to deny Mateo Retegui’s penalty and rebound.

Arsenal can move top of the table with a win, with only two points dropped this term at home to Brighton after Declan Rice was sent off just after the interval.

It was North London derby delight last weekend, as Gabriel’s powerful header was the difference to claim all three points at Spurs.

Last Meeting: Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal, Premier League, 31st March 2024

The last encounter was considered a title decider, but the game didn’t live up to the spectacle it was advertised as.

The two title challengers played out a dull goalless draw as Mikel Arteta came up with a game plan to frustrate and nullify the fluency of City’s attack and succeeded.

Clear-cut chances for both sides were few and far between, with neither team able to conjure up a golden opportunity. Overall, a point each ended up being a fair result. When you consider that Manchester City beat Arsenal to the league title by only two points, the Gunners might regret a lack of greater attacking ambition.

Predicted Lineups

Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Rodri; Savinho, Silva, Foden; Haaland

Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Havertz, Partey, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Trossard

Who is the referee?

Michael Oliver.

What TV channel is Manchester City vs Arsenal on?

Manchester City vs Arsenal will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is at 16:30 BST on Sunday 22nd September 2024.

Odds

Manchester City – 5/6

Draw – 13/5

Arsenal – 10/3

Read – Super sub Duran closing in on Premier League record

See more – Arteta says Man City clash has been on radar since pre-season

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