Manchester City will aim to protect their flawless Premier League record this season as they gear up to face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Inter Milan in their Champions League opener, City are eager to bounce back to winning ways. Despite dominating the match with 22 shots, City couldn’t get past Inter’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Now, the focus shifts back to domestic competition, with City set to face Arsenal, one of their main rivals in the title race.
City head into this fixture knowing Arsenal have pushed them hard in the past two seasons, and this year’s title battle could be no different. Both teams come into the match following midweek Champions League draws, with Arsenal also held to a 0-0 stalemate.
Key for City will be whether their talisman, Kevin De Bruyne, will be fit to play after being forced off against Inter. Pep Guardiola remains hopeful the Belgian playmaker will be ready to feature.
In goal, Ederson is expected to continue his streak of starting every game this season. The Brazilian will be looking for his first Premier League clean sheet since City’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea on the opening weekend.
Pep Guardiola may revert to a back-four against Arsenal, which could see Kyle Walker return to the starting lineup. Walker is likely to start at right-back, with summer signing Josko Gvardiol slotting in at left-back. In central defense, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji are expected to form the partnership, as Akanji has started every game so far this season.
In midfield, Rodri is expected to anchor the lineup after making his first start of the season in the midweek game against Inter. Should De Bruyne be fit, he’ll bring his usual creativity to the heart of the midfield, likely partnering with Mateo Kovacic to provide balance and control.
Up front, Erling Haaland remains a certainty, hunting for his 100th goal in a City shirt. The prolific Norwegian already has nine goals in just four Premier League matches this season. He could be flanked by Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, the latter having come off the bench at halftime in the Champions League match.
Here’s how City are expected to line up against Arsenal:
- GK: Ederson
- RB: Walker
- CB: Akanji
- CB: Dias
- LB: Gvardiol
- CDM: Rodri
- CM: Kovacic
- CM: De Bruyne
- RW: Foden
- ST: Haaland
- LW: Grealish
City’s predicted XI for the Arsenal clash: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish.
With both sides eager to prove their title credentials, Sunday’s showdown promises to be an exciting encounter at the Etihad.
