The biggest game of the Premier League season arrives on Sunday afternoon as reigning champions Manchester City host last season’s runners-up Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s side are the only side in the division with a perfect record after four straight wins, but they will be handed their toughest test yet when Mikel Arteta’s men turn up at the Etihad. Arsenal overshadowed the meetings between the two sides last season, winning at the Emirates Stadium and the Community Shield and earning a draw on the road.
Man City were frustrated in midweek when they hosted Inter in the Champions League – a replay of the 2022/23 final – and had to settle for a point at home. Arsenal were also involved in a goalless draw against Italian opposition, with David Raya starring after saving a penalty against Atalanta.
The Gunners produced a perfect away performance to beat north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur last weekend as Gabriel scored the winner in an emphatic 1-0 victory. A similar result on Sunday would be welcomed with open arms, and would see Arsenal leapfrog Man City in the table.
here it is 90 minutes guide to a delicious crash in Manchester.
Man City vs Arsenal H2H Record (Last Five Matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Man City |
arsenal |
|---|---|
|
Man City 0-0 Inter – 18/09/24 |
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal – 19/09/24 |
|
Man City 2-1 Brentford – 14/09/24 |
Tottenham – Arsenal 0-1 – 15/09/24 |
|
West Ham 1-3 Man City – 31/08/24 |
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton – 31/08/24 |
|
Man City 4-1 Ipswich Town – 24/08/24 |
Aston Villa – Arsenal 0-2 – 24/08/24 |
|
Chelsea 0-2 Man City – 18/08/24 |
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves – 17/08/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
Main Event Sky Sports, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD, Sky GO, Sky GO Extra, NOW TV |
|
united states |
fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, Telemundo |
|
canada |
Fubo Sports Network, fuboTV |
Although Guardiola refused to rule Kevin De Bruyne out of action for good, the Belgian is almost certain to miss Sunday’s game after suffering a groin injury against Inter. He joins Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb in the treatment room.
Rodri’s timely return boosts Man City’s options and Phil Foden also featured from the bench against Inter after suffering an illness since Euro 2024. Kyle Walker could step in to provide more defensive stability and Mateo Kovacic too could return to the starting line-up.
Erling Haaland will aim to add to his nine Premier League goals against the sternest defense of the 2023/24 season, while Jack Grealish will be hoping to start on the left flank ahead of Jeremy Doku.
Man City’s predicted line-up against Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Guardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Silva, Grealish; Haaland.
Martin Odegaard is the big mistake arsenal and Arteta confirmed that the captain’s injury is “quite significant” while watching several weeks on the sidelines. He was replaced by Kai Havertz in midfield on Thursday, but Arteta could restore Jorginho to that starting line-up this weekend.
Jurrien Timber is likely to start at left-back once again due to injuries to Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko, but may face competition from the returning Riccardo Calafiori.
If Havertz starts up front on Sunday, then Leandro Trossard could move back to left wing. The Belgian is battling with Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling for a starting spot.
Predicted line-up of Arsenal against Man City (4-3-3): Stripe; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Wood; Partey, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
On paper, England’s two best sides going head-to-head should provide a thriller of the highest quality. However, anyone who watched last season’s meetings knows that it will likely be a tactical battle won by spreadsheets rather than surprises.
Man City He has been in dazzling form this season, but Inter frustrated them in midweek, putting in a strong and organized defensive display to stifle Haaland and co. That will be Arsenal’s job this weekend, with five clean sheets from their first six games – and two against City last season – proving their ability to shut out top-flight opposition.
It will certainly be a tight affair, but the clash coming so early in the season may make it a bit more open than last quarter. There may be goals, even if we can’t separate the top two from last season.
