We preview the highly anticipated Premier League showdown at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday with our Arsenal vs Manchester City prediction. Can Pep Guardiola’s side dent Mikel Arteta’s title ambitions?
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Arsenal vs Manchester City: Preview
Just a few months ago, many fans would have marked Sunday’s Arsenal vs. Manchester City clash as a potential title decider—a showdown between Mikel Arteta’s contenders and Pep Guardiola’s dominant champions.
However, City’s season took a major turn when Rodri suffered a serious knee injury in September’s reverse fixture, a heated 2-2 draw. Since then, their title defense has crumbled, with Champions League qualification now appearing to be their most realistic target.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are still in the hunt but hanging by a thread. Sitting six points behind Liverpool after playing an extra game, the Gunners have little to no margin for error.
Arteta’s side secured a gritty 1-0 win at Wolves last week, despite being reduced to 10 men when Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off late in the first half. João Gomes’ red card leveled the playing field with 20 minutes remaining, and Riccardo Calafiori sealed the victory just four minutes later.
Since Mikel Arteta took charge of Arsenal in the Premier League, the team has received more red cards (19) than any other club. However, they rank 23rd out of the 27 teams to have played during that period in terms of fouls per game (10.1).
Arsenal are currently on a 13-game unbeaten streak in the league (W8 D5), having collected the most points (29) from Matchday 11 onward. This is their longest unbeaten run under Arteta, with their last longer streak coming under Unai Emery, when they went 14 games without defeat between August and December 2018.
In attack, Arsenal have struggled for a clinical edge with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus sidelined, but their efficiency from set-pieces has kept them competitive. Their 12 goals from set-pieces (including two own goals) are the highest in the Premier League this season, excluding penalties.
Manchester City have conceded just two set-piece goals this season, the joint-fewest in the league alongside Brentford. One of those came from a Gabriel Magalhães header off a corner earlier this season, with five of Arsenal’s last 10 goals against City coming via corners.
In addition to long-term absentees Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, Arsenal remain without right-back Ben White. However, Martin Ødegaard is available after missing last weekend’s game due to illness.
Already virtually assured of a place in the Champions League last 16, Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Girona on Wednesday, thanks to a superb strike from Ethan Nwaneri. Meanwhile, City must navigate the play-offs after a nervy 3-1 comeback win over Club Brugge at the Etihad.
City have shown signs of improvement in the league, going unbeaten in their last six matches (W4 D2). Since Christmas Day, only Newcastle United (15) have earned more points than City’s 14, with Guardiola’s side also leading the scoring charts in that period (18 goals).
Guardiola’s side has been nearly unstoppable in the latter half of the season, losing just once in their last 40 Premier League matches from January onward (W33 D6). That lone defeat came on the final day of the 2022-23 campaign, a 1-0 loss to Brentford when the title was already secured. They are currently unbeaten in their last 23 such games across two seasons (W19 D4), averaging 2.9 goals per match with a total of 66 scored.
After an early mistake from debutant Abdukodir Khusanov put them on the back foot, City produced a dominant display in last week’s 3-1 win over Chelsea, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden joining Josko Gvardiol on the scoresheet.
Haaland has rediscovered his scoring touch, netting five goals in his last five Premier League outings—two more than he managed in his previous 13 appearances (three). Over his last five games, he has outperformed his expected goals (xG) by 1.1 (five goals from 3.9 xG), in contrast to his previous 13 matches, where he underperformed by 5.2 (three goals from 8.2 xG).
Meanwhile, Foden has hit top form after a sluggish start to the season. He was the Premier League’s top scorer in January, converting all six of his shots on target into goals.
He is only the fifth player on record (since 2003-04) to score six goals in a single month while converting every shot on target, joining Jermain Defoe (March 2008), Dimitar Berbatov (December 2011), Sergio Agüero (August 2019), and Taiwo Awoniyi (May 2023), all of whom achieved the same feat.
Arsenal vs Manchester City: Head-to-Head
Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory in this exact fixture last season. The last time they won back-to-back home league games against City was between the 2005-06 and 2008-09 seasons, a run of four straight wins.
City had dominated this fixture with 12 consecutive league victories over Arsenal from 2017 to 2023, but they are now winless in their last three encounters (D2 L1).
In their most recent meeting, Arsenal spent long spells under pressure after Leandro Trossard received a red card. John Stones salvaged a dramatic 98th-minute equalizer for City with their 28th shot of the second half—tied for the second-highest on record (since 2003-04) for a single half in Premier League history. Only City’s 34 attempts in their legendary title-clinching comeback against Queens Park Rangers in May 2012 surpass this tally.
Arsenal vs Manchester City: Team News and Predicted Lineup
Arsenal – Team News
Arsenal face an anxious wait to determine David Raya’s availability for Sunday’s clash against Manchester City.
The goalkeeper is doubtful after missing Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Girona due to a muscular issue. Mikel Arteta confirmed Raya will undergo a fitness test before the game at the Emirates Stadium.
“We’re still uncertain,” Arteta said on Friday. “There’s another session tomorrow, and we have 48 hours left, so we’ll have to wait and see. It’s a muscular problem, so we need to assess it further.”
Meanwhile, Ben White remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a knee injury and has yet to return to full training. “Ben is definitely out; he hasn’t trained with us, so he won’t be available,” Arteta added.
Arteta rotated his squad for the Girona match and is expected to make further changes for Sunday’s fixture. Jurrien Timber and William Saliba are likely to bolster the defense, while Myles Lewis-Skelly, whose red card from the Wolves game was overturned, could feature at left-back.
Thomas Partey, who played at right-back against Girona, may shift back to his natural midfield role, with Declan Rice set to return after being rested midweek.
Arteta’s biggest selection dilemma lies in attack. Ethan Nwaneri impressed on the right flank against Girona, scoring a goal and staking his claim for a starting spot. Meanwhile, Kai Havertz is expected to return to the lineup as the No. 9 after being rested on Wednesday.
Arsenal – Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Raya
- Defenders: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly
- Midfielders: Odegaard, Partey, Rice
- Forwards: Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
Manchester City – Team News
Manchester City may reinstate Savinho to the starting lineup for Sunday’s crucial Premier League showdown against Arsenal.
The Brazilian winger played a key role in City’s 3-1 comeback victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday, making a strong impact off the bench.
Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Savinho after his performance, which included scoring City’s third goal as they secured a place in the Champions League play-offs.
Additionally, new signings Vitor Reis, Omar Marmoush, and Abdukodir Khusanov will be available for selection, having missed the Brugge match due to being unregistered for the first stage of European competition.
However, Guardiola has confirmed that none of City’s injured players will return in time for Sunday’s clash.
Manchester City – Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Ederson
- Defenders: Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol
- Midfielders: Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne
- Forwards: Silva, Haaland, Foden
Arsenal vs Manchester City: Prediction
A 1-0 victory could very well repeat itself at the Emirates on Sunday, with more of Arsenal’s key players having been well-rested after their Champions League commitments. Meanwhile, the formidable duo of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba will relish the challenge of facing Erling Haaland.
While a classic encounter may not be on the cards, if Arsenal can steer clear of another high-profile red card, we back them to secure a narrow win and keep Liverpool on alert.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City
When and Where to Watch the Arsenal vs Manchester City? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The highly anticipated Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester City is set for Sunday, February 2, at the Emirates Stadium, kicking off at 10 pm. (IST). The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network for TV viewers, while online streaming will be available on Disney+ Hotstar, allowing fans to follow the high-stakes game on their preferred device. With a thrilling encounter anticipated at the Etihad stadium, supporters won’t want to miss a moment of this Premier League showdown.
Read More: Is The New Champions League Format Better Than Before and Does Every Match Really Count?
FAQs
What is the significance of the Arsenal vs Man City clash on Sunday?
The match is crucial for Arsenal’s title hopes as they face Manchester City at the Emirates, with City struggling to defend their title.
Will David Raya play against Manchester City?
David Raya is a doubt for Sunday’s match, with a fitness test scheduled after missing Arsenal’s win over Girona due to a muscular issue.
Who is unavailable for Arsenal in the upcoming match?
Ben White remains sidelined due to a knee injury, while David Raya’s availability is still uncertain for the match against City.
Can Savinho feature for Manchester City against Arsenal?
Savinho could return to the starting lineup for City after impressing in their 3-1 victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League.
What is Pep Guardiola’s injury update ahead of Arsenal clash?
uardiola confirmed that none of Manchester City’s injured players will return for the game against Arsenal, though new signings will be available.
