Arsenal host Manchester City in a table-topping clash as Pep Guardiola travels to the current home of his former apprentice Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners have had an incredible season so far and are top of the Premier League despite playing one less match than second-place City.
However, the North London side have failed to win either of their last two league matches (1 draw, 1 loss) with a 1 – 0 loss against Everton followed by a 1 – 1 draw with Brentford last weekend.
Manchester City on the other hand have been inconsistent this season by their usual standards having lost four matches and drawn a further three after only 22 matches played. However, in their 3 – 1 win over Aston Villa, they showed just how dangerous they can be on their day and there is a feeling that their display has earned them the much-needed momentum going into this match.
Arsenal vs Manchester City – Team News
Gabriel Jesus has made progress in his recovery from a knee injury, but the former Manchester City forward will still be out for a few weeks. Meanwhile, Mohamed Elneny, who had knee surgery last month, is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Both Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe have been limited by injuries this season, and although both have been in training, Arteta has said that none of them is “yet ready to contribute” to the first team.
Leandro Trossard will be vying to start ahead of Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank after scoring at the weekend, but Arteta may stick with the same starting lineup for the seventh straight league game, which would be a club record in the top flight.
For Man City, the Premier League’s leading scorer Erling Braut Haaland has been listed as a doubt after leaving the game against Villa before halftime with a “knock”, although reports suggest that the Norwegian is back in training. John Stones is still out for the remainder of this month due to a hamstring injury.
Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake will all be looking to force their way back into the side after starting substitutes last time out.
Gundogan or Bernardo Silva will probably join Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri in the center of the field, and Julian Alvarez may be chosen to start in attack alongside Mahrez and Jack Grealish if Haaland isn’t available.
Arsenal vs Man City – Predicted XIs
Arsenal possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Laporte, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish
