Man City are sitting at the top of the Premier League table but they suffered a rather shocking loss to Wolves last weekend.
However, they very promptly got back to winning ways by beating RB Leipzig in the UCL in midweek and this win has come right before their away game against Arsenal.
Arsenal are just one point behind the league leaders so MCFC cannot afford to take this one lightly. They lagged behind the Gunners in the title race for most of the previous season but they picked up pace at the correct time and lifted the title. This time around, Man City have put their foot on the peddle from the very first game and if they can beat Arsenal on Sunday then they will make a really strong statement in terms of defending their title.
Last season, MCFC did the league double over the North London side, scoring seven and conceding just two goals and it’s safe to say that Man City are the slight favourites to win this weekend however, a draw won’t be a bad result for either side.
MCFC team news, injuries and team selection:
Bernardo Silva and John Stones returned to training ahead of their Leipzig game in midweek but only one of them will start on Sunday.
Bernardo Silva is concerned, he played 87 minutes in midweek and should start on the right wing vs Arsenal. Stones however will not be ready for the trip to North London, his manager has confirmed.
Silva and Stones’ return means Kevin De Bruyne is the only player who will be missing with an injury and the midfielder will not return before December.
Rodri is the other player who will be missing on Sunday as he serves the final game of a three-match ban. Rodri’s absence will be the biggest cause of concern for the Man City manager because neither Matheus Nunes nor Kalvin Phillips are great choices to play in defensive midfield.
The manager, in his press conference, has admitted that he’s yet to choose the midfielder who is going to replace Rodri in the middle of the pitch.
Pep Guardiola said on Friday: “We will see – we start to talk today with my staff. This afternoon I will analyse and prepare for the game tomorrow.
“Like I said he’s not here and we’ll have to find a solution with our players and how we want to play. I’m thinking the solution we have to find Rodrigo is on holiday now and after the international break, he will be back ready for Brighton.”
Phillips has hardly played for MCFC since joining from Leeds and summer signing Nunes is also walking in a similar direction. Mateo Kovacic is going to start and we have a feeling the Man City manager will put his faith in Nunes rather than Phillips.
Grealish will hold onto his place on the left wing and since Silva is fully fit, Foden will have to be content with a place on the bench. KDB’s absence means Alvarez will play in the No 10 role and currently, the Argentine is turning out to be the man of the season for MCFC.
Erling Haaland started this season with a flurry of goals but in his previous five games, the Norwegian has netted only two goals and he will need to fire if Man City wish to win at the Emirates Stadium.
Man City predicted line up vs Arsenal:
Predicted Starting line up(4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Akanji; Nunes, Mateo Kovacic; B. Silva, Grealish, Alvarez; Haaland.
