Preview: Manchester City vs Arsenal – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

A battle of the giants dominates the Premier League headlines this weekend, as the two top teams of last season – Manchester City And arsenal – will fight it out in a showdown that already deserves the title of a top match.

Both titans return to the home squad after goalless draws against Italian opponents in the Champions League, with the Citizens having to keep Inter Milan at bay while the Gunners needed more heroics from David Raya to snatch a point against Atalanta BC.

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Just over 12 months ago, the unbridled Rodri broke the resistance of the Nerazzurri and helped Man City to the long-awaited piece of Champions League glory, but the almighty pivot and the hitherto unstoppable Erling Haaland had no answer to Inter's defensive strength during the week.

In fact, Man City's latest battle for European supremacy began with a goalless game against their 2023 final opponents, who also benefited from the Premier League champions' extravagance – especially in the air, with Ilkay Gundogan guilty of turning down a brilliant opportunity.

This stalemate with Simone InzaghiThe side brought a quick end to the hosts' perfect start to the 2024/25 season, but their 100 percent Premier League record remains intact thanks to their recent Erling Haaland-inspired comeback against Brentford last weekend.

After just four games, he has already scored an incredible nine goals this season, breaking the previous record of Wayne Rooney – Haaland, who turned down an offer of special leave following the death of a close family friend, responded to Yoane WissaIn classic Haaland style, he scored the early lead and kept City two points ahead at the top of the table.

The Citizens' winning streak in the top flight now stands at an impressive 13 games – which some may find unfortunate – and they could now become the first team in English football history to win each of their first five games of a season in five different seasons. However, it's hard to guess who they've dropped points against most recently.

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24 hours after Man City failed to score against a black and blue Italian side, Arsenal suffered the same fate as their Premier League title rivals. Mikel ArtetaThe men of were once again indebted to Raya and his amazing athleticism.

Guess correctly to stay out Mateo ReteguiThe penalty was one thing, but the former Brentford man was quick to get back into action and clear the Italian's rebound header off the line, allowing the Gunners to leave Bergamo with a respectable Champions League point in their pocket.

Both Arteta and Robbie Savage raved about one of the “best saves” they had ever seen at the Gewiss Stadium, and Arsenal’s point against a team that had ripped Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen to pieces should not be sniffed at, but Arteta’s Martin Odegaard-less men never seemed to score a goal themselves.

The same was true for Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium until recently. Nicolas Jover Standard situation ended with Gabriel Magalhães Arsenal thus secured victory in the North London derby and remained in second place in the table on goal difference, ahead of Newcastle United.

Arsenal, who have shown a particular penchant for combative away performances of late, could now make Premier League history on the road by becoming the first team in the competition not to fall behind, having not trailed in any of their last 11 away games.

Arteta's team produced a typically dogged performance to keep Man City goalless at the Etihad at Easter before a deflected Gabriel Martinelli The winner lifted the Citizens’ curse with a 1-0 win for the Emirates, but not since January 2015 under Arsène Wenger The Gunners left the Etihad as winners.

Manchester City Premier League form:

Manchester City form (all competitions):

Arsenal Premier League form:

Arsenal form (all competitions):

Team News

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In a cruel twist of fate for both managers, Man City and Arsenal will be without their key creators for Sunday's blockbuster, with the hosts reportedly not taking any risks. Kevin De Bruyne after his groin injury in the Champions League.

De Bruyne is not expected to be out for a long time, but Guardiola is not prepared to throw caution to the wind as long as he is fit again. Phil Foden is in the starting blocks; the 24-year-old is now likely to make his first appearance of the season in the starting eleven in De Bruyne's absence.

Nathan Ake (thigh) and Oscar Bob (leg) keep the Belgian playmaker in check in the treatment room, and Foden could be one of two Englishmen to be called back into the eleven, as Kyle Walker could be tasked with keeping Arsenal's left winger – whoever that may be – quiet.

Both De Bruyne and Arsenal captain Odegaard will be watching helplessly this weekend as Arteta finally confirmed the worst-kept secret ahead of the draw against Atalanta that the Scandinavian would be out “for a while” with his ankle problem.

Odegaard is coming Mikel Merino (Shoulder), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Calf), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (thigh) in the medical department of the Arsenal, but Riccardo Calafiori And Bukayo Saka both overcame injuries and played against Atalanta, where Declan Rice also returned from his suspension.

Neither Gabriel Jesus nor Martinelli performed well in attack during the week and offered the former City player Raheem Sterling hopes to make his first appearance for Arsenal in his former sphere of influence, but Leandro Trossard is apparently still higher up in the pecking order for the time being and is likely to keep the Englishman in reserve.

Possible starting eleven for Manchester City:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Rodri; Savinho, Silva, Foden; Haaland

Arsenal’s possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Havertz, Partey, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Trossard

We think: Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal

Given the toothless performances from both teams during the week, the absence of De Bruyne and Odegaard, and the two uneventful encounters between them last season, some fans could be forgiven for resigning themselves to being bored by Sunday's main event.

Unfortunately, we can imagine this exact scenario playing out again at the Etihad. Haaland may be in top form in the domestic league, but Arsenal's defense is arguably one of the best in the world right now, so another 0-0 draw seems inevitable.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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