Arsenal vs Manchester City: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Emirates Stadium to host what 'seems' like a final before October International break

The Emirates Stadium is set to host the mouth-watering clash of their home side Arsenal and Pep Guardiola's Man City. The Gunners saw themselves witness a defeat finally at the hands of Ligue 1 side RC Lens. Mikel Arteta's side was undefeated in every competition since the season began. Now they have a point to prove against the City side that came from behind and took the Premier League trophy last season.

Even though The Sky Blues were handed two back-to-back defeats by English sides Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, they lifted their team morale in the last UEFA Champions League bout. On an away UCL night, the German outfit RB Leipzig were beaten 3-1 by the Man City stars. Guardiola now faces his former colleague Arteta for the 11th time. Arteta was assisting Guardiola before joining the Gunners as a manager himself.

Kick-Off:

Sunday, 8 October 2023 at 4:30 PM BST (9:00 PM IST)

Location: Emirates Stadium

Form

Arsenal (in all competitions): L-W-W-D-W

Man City (in all competitions): W-L-L-W-W

Players to Watch

Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)

The playmaker and first-team captain for Arsenal FC could make use of the defensive muscle support from Thomas Partey. Partey if gets the nod for the starting lineup alongside Rice and Ødegaard, Arsenal could benefit highly. With Partey and Rice doing much of the defensive duties, Ødegaard can remain in the mix of the final third more. The number 8 has 3 goals and an assist in 7 PL games.

Julián Álvarez (Man City)

Even if captain Kevin De Bruyne is being missed by Man City, one man has tried to dampen the blow. The Argentinian Julián Álvarez provides the City team with both goals and assists. In the UCL fixture against Leipzig, Álvarez was fruitful in both endeavours. Firstly he gave the Cityzens a 2-1 lead in the 84-minute mark while laying off an assist for Jérémy Doku in the 90+2' for the third City goal. Álvarez has recorded 3 goals and 4 assists in 7 PL outings.

Match Facts

• Arsenal opened the 2023-24 season with a win against Man City in the FA Community Shield final. This will be the 11th meeting of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal and Pep Guardiola's Man City
• Arteta's Arsenal have never beaten the City team in the Premier League. Guardiola's City have won all seven PL games since Arteta has been the Arsenal manager
• Last season in the 2022-23 PL season, City won both at home and away by scoring 7 goals in total while Arsenal scored one in each.

Injury & Team News for Arsenal vs Man City

In the Gunners camp, Jurrien Timber is the only long-term absentee. Gabriel Martinelli has a hamstring issue to resolve before he can make the team sheet. Thomas Partey was seen as an unused sub in the 2-1 defeat to RC Lens. Arteta could reinstate him in the starting lineup in this big fixture. Bukayo Saka remains in "contention" as per Arteta for this one.

Pep Guardiola already has the supplies of Kevin De Bruyne cut after the playmaker suffered a hamstring injury in the 2023-24 Premier League opener. One another key absentee will be defensive midfielder Rodri. He will be out for the final time of his three-match suspension. Pep has ruled out John Stones, despite he was on the bench against Leipzig. 

Head to Head

Total Matches – 59

Arsenal wins – 25

Man City wins – 25

Draws – 9

Predicted Lineup

Arsenal predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Raya (GK); White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Jesus, Nketiah, Trossard

Man City predicted lineup (3-2-4-1):

Ederson (GK); Walker, Dias, Gvardiol; Akanji, Phillips; Bernardo, Álvarez, Foden, Grealish; Haaland

Match Prediction for Arsenal vs Manchester City

Although Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are yet to win a game against Man City in the Premier League, this is the best time to do so. With influential players like De Bruyne, Rodri and Stones out of this clash, the Gunners have the best opportunity to not lose their eighth consecutive PL game against City with Arteta as the boss. But with Saka and Martinelli not fully fit for this one, City can once again take away the hope of a win. A draw could be a fruitful end result for the Gunners.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Man City

Telecast

India – Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar

UK – Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Amazon Prime Video

US –  NBC, USA Network, Peacock

Nigeria – SuperSport, NTA, Canal+ Afrique