Arsenal vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This game has been a clash between the two best teams in England for much of the last few years, but that is no longer the case with Manchester City sliding away from the top.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Peacock
Arsenal preview: Gunning for more
Mikel Arteta has been granted a deep squad with a lot of money spent over the summer to fight on all four fronts, and the Gunners started their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over Athletic Club at San Mames in Bilbao the other day.
Arsenal, who have been runners’ up in each of the last three seasons, managed to make it nine points from their opening four Premier League matches with a comfortable 3-0 defeat of Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.
Man City preview: Need for consistency
Pep Guardiola needs to find some consistency with this Manchester City side who have been underwhelming for around 12 months now. The Cityzens do come into this one on the back of back-to-back-to-nil victories since the international break.
They dispatched of rivals Manchester United in the derby last weekend by three goals to nil before they then eased past ten-man Napoli by two goals to nil in midweek, with what was, once again, fairly indifferent and disjointed performance.
Arsenal team news: Saka nearing return
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Bukayo Saka are on modified training schedules as they recover from injury issues and they are all doubts for this weekend.
William Saliba made the bench at San Mames and he could come back into the eleven this weekend, whilst both Mikel Merino and Viktor Gyokeres have been confirmed as being fit.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze
Unavailable: Havertz (Injured), Jesus (Injured)
Questionable: White (Fitness), Odegaard (Fitness), Saka (Fitness)
Man City team news: Rodri is fine
In his pre-match press conference, there have been no injury updates given by Pep Guardiola and so there is little awareness as to the status of John Stones.
Rodri reportedly asked to come off in the second-half against Napoli, but the Spain international midfielder is reportedly fit and should start at the Emirates.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Rodri; Silva, Foden, Reijnders, Doku; Haaland
Unavailable: Phillips (Injured), Kovacic (Injured), Cherki (Injured), Marmoush (Injured)
Questionable: Stones (Fitness), Ait-Nouri (Injured)
Arsenal vs Man City prediction
Arsenal have all bases covered. They have the solidity that has been engrained into them by Mikel Arteta in recent seasons with a bit more attacking intent and quality this season. Manchester City still finished third last year, but there just seems to be something unfixable at the moment, at least in terms of making them the dominant force they once were. Home advantage, form, and an extra couple of days rest from European commitments should mark Arsenal out as firm favourites in north London.
Arsenal vs Man City tip: Arsenal to win
