Arsenal vs Man City preview: How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates

Arsenal Team News

Despite the likes of Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka, Hector Bellerin, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Emile Smith Rowe starting yet again in midweek, there were no new injuries for Arteta to contend with.

Fatigue? Most likely.

The notion of resting players for the visit of the best side in the country is a frightening one, but there is nothing that can be done now as the risk of injury would be desperately high were the manager to not make wholesale changes for Sunday. Europa League is the priority fixture of the two.

In terms of returning players, fans rejoiced at the sight of Kieran Tierney getting some valuable minutes after a few weeks sidelined with muscle soreness and knee problems. A decision will be made on whether he should start against City in due course, but he is available nonetheless.

Thomas Partey is progressing well. He didn’t travel to Rome to instead focus on his recovery, and he edges closer to being available for the return leg against Benfica in Athens next week. There is a chance he could be included in the squad for the weekend, but a start is highly unlikely.

Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli could well make up the front three for the visit of City and Rob Holding will return, with Smith Rowe and Saka surely due a valuable rest.

As for Pep’s side, guess what? Like, really, what a shock this news is! Kevin De Bruyne is back from injury just in time, as is Sergio Aguero, with the pair completing their miraculous recoveries to make an already immovable object tougher to beat then they already were.

Even Player of the Season candidate Ilkay Gundogan has shaken off a knock to be available. Who would ever had seen that coming. Nathan Ake is the only other concern for City, even if he isn’t a regular starter anyway.