The highly anticipated Premier League clash of the weekend is set to take place as Manchester City hosts Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening. Both teams come into the match looking to secure valuable points in their bid to reach the top of the Premier League table.
Manchester City enters the game on the back of a 2-1 victory over Brentford in their last Premier League outing. The Cityzens have had a solid run against Arsenal in recent meetings, with three wins, two draws, and one loss in their last six encounters with the Gunners. However, the challenge will be tough for both sides as they contend with injuries to key players.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed concerns over the availability of playmaker Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne was forced off at half-time during City’s UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan on Wednesday, leaving his participation in the Arsenal match in doubt. His absence would be a significant blow for City, as De Bruyne has been instrumental in their creative play.
In addition to De Bruyne, City will also be without defender Nathan Ake. Ake picked up an injury during his international duty with the Netherlands, ruling him out of Sunday’s match. Despite these absences, Guardiola has options at his disposal, and fans could see Rodri, who made his first appearance of the season as a substitute against Brentford, return to the starting lineup.
Arsenal, on the other hand, heads into the fixture following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. While the Gunners will be buoyed by that win, they too face a significant setback, as captain Martin Odegaard will miss the clash against City. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Odegaard is set to be sidelined for some time after suffering a substantial ankle injury.
However, there is good news for the Gunners as Declan Rice, who missed their last match due to suspension, will return to the squad. Rice, having served his one-match ban after receiving a red card against Brighton, will add a much-needed boost to Arsenal’s midfield.
The stakes are high for both teams heading into this match. A win or even a draw would be enough for Manchester City to leapfrog to the top of the Premier League table. Currently sitting in second place with 12 points from four games, City trails only by a point. Meanwhile, Arsenal is in fifth place with 10 points, and only a win will propel them to the top of the standings.
Both teams will be eager to make a statement with a victory in this high-profile match. The outcome could have significant implications for the early stages of the Premier League title race. With top players missing on both sides, the game will likely be a test of depth and tactical prowess.
The match kicks off at 4:30 pm, Nigerian time, and fans around the world will be watching closely to see who will come out on top in this crucial fixture.
