Belgian midfielder limped off at half-time against Inter Milan on Wednesday
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 4.30pm, Sunday 23rd September 2024
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: S Burt, D Cook Fourth Official: A Madley VAR: J Brooks
Odds: City 4/5, Draw 5/2, Arsenal 7/2
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Sky Sports
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Gvardiol, Akanji, Lewis, Kovacic, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva, Nunes, Foden, McAtee, Haaland, Doku, Savinho
Injured: Bobb, Ake
Doubtful: De Bruyne
Suspended: None
Form guide: DWWWW
Arsenal
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Squad (from): Raya, Neto, Setford, Saliba, White, Gabriel, Timber, Kiwior, Calafiori, Partey, Jorginho, Havertz, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, Trossard, Sterling
Injured: Merino, Tomiyasu, Odegaard, Zinchenko, Tierney
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WDWWW
Kevin De Bruyne is a major doubt for the Blues according to manager Pep Guardiola, after being substituted at half-time in the midweek draw with Inter Milan.
“Kevin feels a little better, but not yet,” he said at Friday's press conference.
“Tomorrow we train and we will see. He could be involved.”
Arsenal pushed City close in the title race last season, and have begun this campaign in similarly impressive form. Guardiola is anticipating another tough clash against the Gunners.
“They are taller than us, they are quick on transitions, and they are so strong defensively.
“They have incredible runners in the channels and Gabriel and Saliba are focused on Erling all the time. That’s why it’s difficult to attack them
“In 2024 they didn’t lose away. It’s not just one or two games, they are consistent and they don’t concede goals.
“I am looking forward and every game is a chance to play better and do it better than the game before.
“When the opponents play better always you have a chance to improve.”
City's last home game against Arsenal ended in a goalless stalemate. Overall City have won 52 of the 180 games played against the Gunners, with 42 draw and 86 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo, Grealish, Foden, Haaland
Score prediction: City 1 Arsenal 1