Manchester City will host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in a Premier League showdown between the top two teams. City have a perfect record in the league and sit at the top of the table, while Arsenal, having won three of their four matches, are in second place, just two points behind the reigning champions.
Manchester City vs Arsenal: Preview
The season’s most anticipated clash is set for the Etihad, where Manchester City will look to maintain their narrow two-point lead over Arsenal. Pep Guardiola will be seeking a better display from his side after a frustrating draw against a determined and bold Inter Milan in the midweek UEFA Champions League match.
Despite their flawless form in the Premier League, with four wins out of four, City have shown a recurring issue—conceding early goals in three of their games, something Guardiola will want to correct.
Manchester City vs Arsenal: Match Details
Match: Arsenal Vs Manchester City
Date & Time: September 22, 2024 at 4;30 pm UK
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Manchester City vs Arsenal: Team News & Head-to-Head
Manchester City
In an unfortunate turn of events for both teams, Manchester City and Arsenal will be without their key playmakers for Sunday’s highly anticipated clash. City are unlikely to risk Kevin De Bruyne, who is nursing a groin injury sustained in the Champions League.
While Pep Guardiola didn’t officially rule out De Bruyne in his pre-match press conference, he typically avoids giving clear updates—something Mikel Arteta seems to have adopted as well. Although De Bruyne’s injury isn’t expected to sideline him for long, Guardiola is unwilling to take any chances, especially with a fully fit Phil Foden ready to step in. Foden, now likely to make his first start of the season, will be joined by Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb on the injury list.
In addition to De Bruyne, Arsenal will also be without their captain, Martin Odegaard, who will miss the game due to an ankle injury. Arteta confirmed the news, which had been rumored ahead of Arsenal’s recent draw with Atalanta.
Arsenal
Odegaard is joined in Arsenal’s injury list by Mikel Merino, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney. However, both Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka recovered from knocks to play against Atalanta, while Declan Rice returned from suspension.
Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli struggled to make an impact up front in midweek, giving former City player Raheem Sterling hope of making his first start for Arsenal at the Etihad. However, Leandro Trossard appears to be ahead of him in the pecking order and is likely to start, leaving Sterling as an option on the bench.
Head-to-Head
The two teams share a long-standing rivalry, having faced each other 211 times across all competitions. Arsenal hold the advantage with 99 victories, while Manchester City have won 65 times, and 47 matches have ended in draws. Last season, Arsenal remained unbeaten in their two league encounters with City, securing a 1-0 win at home, with the reverse fixture ending in a goalless draw.
Manchester City is currently on a 13-game winning streak in the Premier League and last dropped points at home in March against Arsenal. Meanwhile, Arsenal are unbeaten in Premier League away matches in 2024, winning 10 of their 11 games and keeping nine clean sheets. City, however, are unbeaten in their last nine home league games against Arsenal.
Possible Starting Lineup
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
Manchester City Vs Arsenal: Prediction
Manchester City, playing at home, will look to bounce back after a goalless draw against Inter Milan. Guardiola faces the challenge of Arsenal’s strong defense, which could cause problems. Meanwhile, Arsenal, conserving energy during their midweek match with Atalanta, will rely on solid defending and hope to snatch a crucial win in the title race.
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