Despite their meteoric rise under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal always seem to fall short against Manchester City.
Arteta’s former employers have won eight of the last nine meetings between the sides, with the Gunners’ only victory coming courtesy of a penalty shootout victory in this year’s Community Shield. Last season, when vying for the title, City blew Arsenal away with comfortable 3-1 and 4-1 wins in the Premier League, two results that helped shape the race for top spot.
However, there is hope for Arsenal. The Gunners are one of only two sides yet to be beaten in the opening seven matches of the league season and the absence of Rodri in the heart of the Man City midfield could prove a weak spot for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Here is how Arsenal could line up on Sunday against the champions.
GK: David Raya – Guilty of surrendering possession too easily prior to Lens’ equaliser on Tuesday evening, but has enough credit in the bank to make him a shoo-in to start against City.
RB: Ben White – Rested midweek for Takehiro Tomiyasu and should return to the lineup at the weekend. White’s previous league performance at Bournemouth was probably his best of the season, capping it with a late header against the Cherries.
CB: William Saliba – Things started to go awry for Arsenal when Saliba got injured towards the end of last season, helping Man City to yet another league title. One of the centre-backs who has the best chance of matching Erling Haaland’s pace and physicality.
CB: Gabriel – Sometimes seen as the weak link in the back four last campaign, but has exhibited plenty of good performances in the opening weeks. The Brazilian was sent off in this fixture for two yellow cards in as many minutes back in January 2022.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – Will be given fewer opportunities to shift into midfield against his former club than in recent weeks. Regardless, the Ukrainian has made a very strong start to the campaign and will be hopeful of getting one over on his previous employers.
CM: Martin Odegaard – Arsenal’s captain has led by example this season, providing four goals and an assist from a slightly deeper position. Could be a match-winner for the Gunners.
CM: Declan Rice – A man who could have been wearing sky blue this weekend had things played out differently during the summer. Rice has made a lightning fast start to his career in north London and it’s a shame for the neutral that we won’t witness his defensive-midfield battle with Rodri on Sunday.
CM: Kai Havertz – Managed his first goal from the penalty spot against Bournemouth last Saturday, but is still yet to convince for the Gunners. Arteta seems to like him in that advanced central-midfield role.
RW: Gabriel Jesus – Obviously this depends on the fitness of Bukayo Saka, who is a guaranteed starter if given the all clear. However, should he be missing, Jesus could fill on the right against his former club, having featured there on occasion during his years at the Etihad.
ST: Eddie Nketiah – The striker has offered plenty up front this season despite not having found his shooting boots just yet. A lack of attacking options means he could be given another start.
LW: Leandro Trossard – It was his late goal that made sure Arsenal lifted the Community Shield in August and he has already exhibited his quality on plenty of occasions this season. The Belgian has scored some big goals for the Gunners and will be hopeful of doing so again on Sunday against Man City.
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