Arsenal vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Arsenal are trying to hold onto the coattails of league leaders Liverpool ahead of this massive clash with a Manchester City side still striving to rediscover their consistency of recent seasons.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 2nd February, 2025: UK – 4:30pm / US ET – 11:30am / US PT – 8:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Peacock
Arsenal Team News: Lewis-Skelly avoids suspension
It has been confirmed that first-choice goalkeeper David Raya is a doubt for this weekend and will have to be assessed on Saturday, the day before the game. As well as the absence of Raya, England international duo Ben White and Bukayo Saka are also sidelined alongside striker Gabriel Jesus. Myles Lewis-Skelly's red card has been overturned so he is available for this one.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Neto; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli
Unavailable: White (Injured), Tomiyasu (Injured), Saka (Injured), Jesus (Injured)
Questionable: Raya (Injured)
Man City Team News: Coming soon
Following on from Manchester City's defeat of Club Brugge in midweek, Pep Guardiola has confirmed there are no new injury issues for the visitors to deal with. They are still without a few key players such as defensive duo Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake as well as Rodri and Jeremy Doku.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan; Silva, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland
Unavailable: Dias (Injured), Ake (Injured), Rodri (Injured), Doku (Injured)
Questionable: Bobb (Fitness)
Arsenal vs Man City Prediction
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat of Girona in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, coming from behind with a Jorginho penalty and a winner scored by Ethan Nwaneri. They have now gone unbeaten in five matches across all competitions since losing to Manchester United on penalties in the third round of the FA Cup but that run has featured giving up a 2-0 lead against Aston Villa, having to come from behind, as mentioned, against Girona, as well as against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby, edging past Wolverhampton Wanderers after Wolves had joined them on ten men last weekend and a defeat of Dinamo Zagreb. Manchester City managed to squeeze themselves into the top 24 of the UEFA Champions League in midweek with a come from behind 3-1 defeat of Club Brugge at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side have spent around £120 million this month and may not be stopped there after their dreadful autumn and early winter run of form. They are fighting for a top four spot this season but continue to, just like Arsenal, lack a fluency and rhythm in attack. Given that lack of fluency for both sides as well as what is potentially on the line at the Emirates Stadium, a low-scoring affair seems quite likely for this one.
Arsenal vs Man City Tip: Under 2.5 goals