Arsenal host Manchester City in the Premier League at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners will be looking to continue their excellent start to the new season, which has seen them win four of their opening five matches across all competitions.
Meanwhile, City are also in pursuit of a continuation of positive results, having beaten Manchester United and Napoli this week.
Arsenal edged past Athletic Club in Bilbao on Tuesday, while Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Napoli on Thursday, meaning Mikel Arteta’s squad should be significantly fresher heading into the showdown in N5.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Manchester City
Bukayo Saka could miss the City clash as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury he sustained against Leeds back in August.
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard’s fitness status is also unclear after the Norwegian fell on his shoulder against Nottingham Forest.
Ben White could return to Arteta’s squad, while long-term absentees Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz remain sidelined.
Arteta has a number of selection headaches to mull over ahead of this game, as a result of some of these injuries and also the depth he now has at his disposal.
William Saliba is fit and available again, and will presumably replace Cristhian Mosquera in the back four, despite the Spaniard’s excellent recent performances.
This is likely to be the only change in the backline, with Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori all nailed-on starters at the present moment.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice will retain their places. As for the third midfield, Arteta has a decision to make.
If Odegaard isn’t fit enough to start, the tactician could opt for a more adventurous option in Ethan Nwaneri or Eberechi Eze, although he’ll likely resort to the pragmatic choice in Mikel Merino.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both made a case to start this game after making an impact off the bench against Athletic Club.
However, Arteta will likely start Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Eze together once again, as he looks for the trio to continue to build chemistry.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Manchester City: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Merino, Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze.
Manchester City team news ahead of Arsenal clash
Guardiola has a host of injury issues to contend with heading to N5.
John Stones is a doubt for the game with a minor issue, while Rayan Ait-Nouri is also potentially unavailable with an unspecified injury.
Mateo Kovacic and Kalvin Phillips have both been ruled out with calf problems.
Further up the pitch, City have issues with two of their newest recruits. Rayan Cherki is out with a thigh injury for two months, while Omar Marmoush won’t feature at the Emirates because of a knee problem.
City are expected to start a front four that includes Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku.
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