Up next for Manchester City is a trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal. The Premier League Champions face off against one of the main contenders for this season’s league title. A massive game awaits on Sunday. Here is a match preview of what promises to be a mouthwatering tussle.
Manchester City team news
Manchester City head to London off the back of a 3-1 win over RB Leipzig midweek. The treble winners returned to winning ways with a fantastic display against tricky opposition. After back-to-back losses, the performance against Leipzig was the perfect preparation for Sunday’s game.
Pep Guardiola’s side will be without three key players for the clash with Arsenal. Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones won’t feature due to injury. Guardiola told the media pre-game that Stones won’t be ready in time to face Arsenal. De Bruyne is out until the New Year as he recovers from surgery on his hamstring. City’s midfield general Rodri is out as he serves the final game of his 3-game suspension for the red card he received against Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal team news
Arsenal head into the game off the back of a shock 2-1 loss to Lens midweek. The result was a surprise considering Arsenal’s strong start to the season. Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in the Premier League so far this season.
On the injury front, Arsenal had a scare midweek with Bukayo Saka going off injured against Lens. Mikel Arteta confirmed pre-game that the England international is a chance to face City. The Gunners will have almost a full squad to choose from for the clash with City.
Keys to the game
One of the keys to the game will be the battle in midfield. With Pep Guardiola’s side without Rodri, and Arsenal’s chief tormentor in Kevin De Bruyne how City lineup in midfield will go a long way to deciding the game. City’s recent record without Rodri is a cause for concern for the champions. New signings Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes started against Wolves in midfield, it remains to be seen if Guardiola will go that well again. Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva were both outstanding against RB Leipzig. The pair may be preferred here.
Arsenal are particularly stronger in midfield with the summer arrival of Declan Rice. With De Bruyne and Rodri out for this game, the Gunners may see the midfield as an area where they can get a foothold in the game. The midfield battle looms large as a key factor in deciding the game.
Another factor for City is Erling Haaland up against the Gunner’s defence. Haaland scored twice against Arsenal last season and set up two goals for De Bruyne in City’s 4-1 demolition of Arteta’s side at the Etihad late last season. Haaland hasn’t scored in his past two games, but the goals are never far away for City’s number 9. If City can supply the service to Haaland he may be a key factor in Sunday’s game.
Summary
A huge game awaits on Sunday between two of the main title contenders for this season. While the game comes early in the season, it presents a huge opportunity for each side to send a message to the other.
In front of a fired-up Emirates Stadium, a massive occasion awaits as Manchester City take on Arsenal.
