Arsenal vs Manchester City preview: Mikel Arteta gunning to secure back-to-back wins against the Citizens

Arsenal host Manchester City in an early-season title-contenders’ clash at the Emirates on Sunday evening.

The Gunners started their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win against Athletic Club in Bilbao last Tuesday.

They also defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 in their last Premier League outing.

Manchester City secured a 2-0 victory over 10-man Italian champions Napoli on Kevin De Bruyne’s return to the Etihad in their Champions League curtain raiser.

The Cityzens also claimed bragging rights over local rivals Manchester United with a 3-0 win last time out in the Premier League.

Match preview

Arsenal hammered City 5-1 in their last league encounter in February and are unbeaten in five meetings against Pep Guardiola’s men.

Mikel Arteta could also become the first manager ever to go five league games unbeaten against Guardiola during his former boss’ managerial career.

The Gunners have won their last three Premier League games at the Emirates with an aggregate score of 9-0.

Arteta’s men have nine points from four, with three clean sheets in those wins, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s free kick being the only goal the Gunners have conceded this campaign.

City have also lost their last two league visits to the Emirates.

Erling Haaland has scored four goals in six Premier League appearances against the Gunners, while he has 19 goals in 20 league games in London.

He also broke the record that stood for 18 years for fewest appearances taken to hit 50 UCL goals, and he achieved that feat in 49 games.

Team news

Arsenal

William Saliba has resumed training and was in the midweek matchday squad in Bilbao; he will be pushing to start.

Christian Nørgaard also featured in midweek action, with Ben White remaining a doubt.

Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus all remain out.

Manchester City

John Stones is available again after he was forced to withdraw from England duty with a muscle problem.

Rodri is also back after he featured in their midweek win against Napoli.

Ryan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush, and Mateo Kovacic are unavailable for selection.

Predicted line-ups

Arsenal: David Raya, Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyökeres.

Manchester City: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Jérémy Doku, Erling Haaland.