Man City vs Arsenal team news and line-ups: De Bruyne and Walker boost, as Saka starts alongside former Etihad star
Manchester City and Arsenal return from the international break for the biggest match of the season as they clash at the Etihad this afternoon.
The two teams are separated by just one point with ten Premier League games before their title clash with six points.
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That April game proved to be the Gunners’ undoing in last season’s title race, as Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten 4-1.
The costly defeat left City just two points behind with two games in hand and ultimately proved the final nail in the proverbial coffin.
However, Pep Guardiola’s men stood out this time against a steelier Arsenal, who have already beaten them twice.
The north Londoners triumphed in the Community Shield, before a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture in October gave them hope.
Man City
Guardiola has several fitness issues to contend with, but he has had some good news on the goalkeeping side as Ederson has a very good chance of playing after recovering from injury.
City captain Kyle Walker has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty.
Manuel Akanji suffered a knock while playing for Switzerland, but is 100% fit to play and will likely have to replace Walker.
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Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake will take on the centre-back roles, with Josko Gvardiol at left-back.
John Stones is usually pushed into a double pivot in midfield alongside Rodri when City are in possession.
However, Stones also went out injured for England with a kidnapper problem and was ruled out by Guardiola.
Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne were left out of their respective international squads this month due to groin problems.
But they each took part in training this week, with De Bruyne in position to play behind Erling Haaland.
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England star Grealish is a bigger doubt having not started a match since late February, but Guardiola’s problems on the left could force his hand.
His replacement Jeremy Doku has struggled in 2024 to replicate his early season promise having not recorded a goal or assist in the Premier League since the start of November.
Julian Alvarez proved he was not comfortable in an unorthodox winger role during the 1-1 draw against Liverpool earlier this month, and has the added headache of a long- courier from America on mission to Argentina.
On the opposite flank will be an in-form Phil Foden, with Bernardo Silva filling the other No.8 role alongside De Bruyne.
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Arsenal
The visitors also suffered a costly withdrawal from the England side, with Bukayo Saka failing to play a single minute for the Three Lions.
However, the move was only a precautionary one, with one of the Premier League’s most fouled players suffering various knocks.
Saka is still expected to line up alongside Kai Havertz as part of Arteta’s three-pronged attack.
The winger has been dealing with a minor hamstring problem for some time now, and the rest will probably have done him a lot of good.
But as it stands, he hasn’t been trained yet.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli scored the winner in the reverse play, but Leandro Trossard replaced the Brazilian due to a foot problem.
Martinelli’s Brazilian teammate Gabriel Jesus has not started a match since January 30 as the club seeks to manage his workload.
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Former Man City star Jesus has been struggling with persistent knee injuries and was forced off the bench in Arsenal’s final three games before the break.
A return to his old stomping grounds could finally see the 26-year-old starting from the start, having previously played on the left at City.
Another former Sky Blue star, Oleksandr Zinchenko, will likely be resigned to the bench due to Jakub Kiwior’s impressive form.
The Polish defender is also more naturally assured defensively, with Ben White looking to bounce back from his England storm playing on the right.
Gabriel Magalhaes withdrew from the Brazilian squad this month, but is also expected to partner William Saliba, with David Raya in goal.
However, once again, the central defender is yet to train with the team.
Arteta’s three preferred midfielders for big games will remain unchanged, with former Man City target Jorginho playing goalkeeper to push Declan Rice further alongside captain Martin Odegaard.
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Betting on Man City vs Arsenal with talkSPORT BET
Match odds:
Man City – 17/20
Draw – 13/5
Arsenal-29/10
*odds subject to change
See more Premier League odds here
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