Man City vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction, Lineup & How to watch on TV

It doesn't get any easier for Arsenal as they prepare for their third game in seven days. Up next for the Gunners is a trip to likely title rivals Manchester City.

While the contest feels significant at this early stage, neither side's campaign will be defined by Sunday's result. Arsenal scored a victory in the first meeting between these two last season, but City, of course, went on to win the title. However, a win for the stout visitors in Manchester would be huge.

They haven't won at the Etihad since Pep Guardiola succeeded Manuel Pellegrini as City boss.

Both teams were left frustrated in the week as Atalanta and Inter recorded draws against the Gunners and Cityzens respectively. In Bergamo, the absence of Martin Odegaard hindered Arsenal's efficiency in possession consderibaly, while City were perhaps fortunate to earn a point against the Nerazzurri despite Ilkay Gundogan spurning a pair of glorious headed chances late on.

The two teams remain unbeaten domestically, although City have maintained their 100% record through four games. Arsenal are two points behind the perennial champions with 10 points.

So, let's get into it! Join us for our Man City vs Arsenal preview, which features key information such as team news, predicted lineups, guidance on how to watch Man City vs Arsenal on TV and an inevitably correct score prediction.

Man City vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction, Lineup & How to watch on TV

What time does Man City vs Arsenal Kick-Off?

• When is kick-off? Sunday 22 September, 2024
• What time is kick-off? 16:30 (BST)
• Where is it played? Etihad Stadium, Manchester
• Referee: Michael Oliver

Man City vs Arsenal Head-to-Head Record

This is a match-up Arsenal have historically dominated, but they beat Man City just once between the start of the 2017/18 season and end of the 2022/23 campaign in all competitions. Their sole victory arrived in an FA Cup semi-final during Arteta's first season at the club.

The Gunners fared better against Pep Guardiola's side last season, securing a rare league victory over City at the Emirates in October 2023. They also beat the country's dominant force in last year's Community Shield on penalties and held them to a stalemate on their last visit to the Etihad.

Is Man City vs Arsenal on TV?

Such a seismic Premier League bout was not going to be avoided by broadcasters across the globe, with this fixture highlighting Sky Sports' Sunday billing. The game will be shown on Sky Sports Maine Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. There are multiple broadcasters of Man City vs Arsenal in the US, including USA Network and NBC Sports. The Fubo Sports Network is your avenue in Canada.

Man City Team News

Kevin De Bruyne, who usually relishes outings against Arsenal, was forced off at half-time against Inter on Wednesday night and is a doubt for Sunday's game. It seems as if the Belgian superstar won't play, but Guardiola isn't exactly shy of options in that area of the pitch.

The hosts are also without Oscar Bobb, who broke his leg before the season got underway, while Nathan Ake is sidelined until October.

Both Rodri and Phil Foden should make their first Premier League starts of the season.

Predicted Man City lineup vs Arsenal: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri; Savinho, Foden, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland.

Arsenal Team News

There's unlikely to be much change on the injury front from Thursday's trip to Bergamo. Oleksandr Zinchenko missed out once more for Arteta's side, and it was confirmed in the week that Martin Odegaard will be out for a while after damaging his ankle ligaments.

Arteta could deploy a defensive midfield trio of Declan Rice, Jorginho, and Thomas Partey with Kai Havertz returning to a striker position. Leandro Trossard could also come in for Gabriel Martinelli down the left with Raheem Sterling also in contention to face his former club.

Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Mikel Merino remain out for the visitors.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Man City: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Jorginho, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.

Man City vs Arsenal Score Prediction

Many are projecting a similar game to the one in March, which means I'm going to go against the grain somewhat. This might not be the most thrilling of duels, but it will be tense and neither manager will want to lose.

I wouldn't bet against Arteta playing for a point given the Gunners' recent schedule and their notable absentees, but taming Man City again, even with this great defence will be a tall order. Inter defended superbly on Wednesday yet they still should've conceded at least twice.

I have a bad feeling about this one, even if there's no shame in losing at the Etihad. I'm backing Guardiola to cultivate a solution or two against what's set to be a deep and compact Arsenal backline.

Prediction: Man City 2-1 Arsenal

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