Arsenal vs Manchester City preview: City wait on Haaland fitness

By Ric Turner, Tue 14 February 2023 17:28


Arsenal vs Manchester City preview: City wait on Haaland fitnessNorwegian striker will be assessed after training ahead of Emirates showdown

Arsenal vs Manchester City

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 7.30pm, Wednesday 15th February 2023

Venue: Emirates Stadium, North London

Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: G Beswick, A Nunn Fourth Official: D England VAR: D Coote

Odds: Arsenal 15/8, Draw 5/2, City 11/8

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Amazon Prime

Arsenal

Manager: Mikel Arteta

Squad (from): Ramsdale, Turner, Hein, Tierney, White, Gabriel, Saliba, Kiwior, Holding, Soares, Tomiyasu, Partey, Odegaard, Jorginho, Vieira, Xhaka, Zinchenko, Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah, Trossard

Injured: Jesus, Nelson, Smith-Rowe, Elneny

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: DLLWW

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo, Laporte, Akanji, Gomez, Lewis, Phillips, Gundogan, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Palmer, Haaland, Alvarez, Mahrez

Injured: Stones

Doubtful: Haaland

Suspended: None

Form guide: WLWWW

Erling Haaland is a doubt for the trip to Arsenal, after being substituted at half-time in the 3-1 victory against Aston Villa. The Norwegian was pictured in training yesterday, but manager Pep Guardiola said that a decision would be made following today's session. John Stones is the only definite absentee, as he continues to recover from a thigh injury.

City trail the league leaders by two points and would go top with a victory tomorrow evening, although Arsenal have a game in hand. Manager Pep Guardiola, however, does not feel that the clash will be decisive in the title race.

“Of course it’s important because we can take the points and the best team so far they can’t,” he said at Tuesday's press conference.  

“But after we have to go to Nottingham Forest and the Champions League and we have the next six fixtures away.

“I have the feeling that many things can happen. So the FA Cup and Champions League is knockout and then we try to arrive in final eight to 10 Premier League games being there.

“This is the deal, the target and tomorrow will help us to be there in the last eight to 10 games.

“There are many tough games away and home for all the contenders.

“Of course, we can’t deny it’s so important for us. If we handle all the aspects these type of games give to you, it’s a big difference.”

City won their last game at The Emirates 2-1, with goals from Riyad Mahrez and Rodri. Overall City have won 50 of the 175 games played against the Gunners, with 40 draws and 85 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Ake, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Mahrez, Haaland

Score prediction: Arsenal 1 City 1