Preview
Manchester City will host Arsenal at Etihad Stadium in Saturday's early kickoff game to raise the curtains for the third round of matches. The two teams have had false starts per their standards and will hope for favorable results with the Premier League table gradually shaping up.
For the Citizens, the objective will be to grab all three points after falling short in their season opener against Norwich City. They made a bigger statement when they welcomed Norwich City to the Etihad last week, with as many as five players getting on the scoresheet. Despite missing out on the signing of Harry Kane after the player committed his immediate future to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week, Guardiola's men are still favorites to clinch the league title this season.
The Premier League champions boast a superb record against the Gunners in recent years and should be able to record another win against them this weekend. So far they have won each of their last eight league clashes with the Gunners. Needless to say, it is not down to the lack of trying on the part of the North London club who have had their struggles and are still far from returning to the glory days.
The Emirates outfit hit an all-time low last week after being condemned to a 2-0 defeat by Chelsea in the local derby. The defeat to Brentford on matchday one means that they are without a win in their first two league games of the season, a feat that had never been attained by the club in its Premier League history.
In mid-week, they were handed a facelift and the best morale booster after defeating West Bromwich Albion 6-0 in the Carabao Cup. As to whether that will be enough at the Etihad on Saturday remains another story. Regardless, what remains certain is that they will try their best to avoid any thrashing on Arteta's return to the home of his former employers.
Head to head record
-
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 11 league games against Arsenal (nine wins, two draws) since a 2-1 defeat at Emirates Stadium in December 2015. They've taken 28 of a possible 30 points against the Gunners under Pep Guardiola.
-
Arsenal have lost each of their last eight Premier League meetings with Manchester City, their joint-longest run of consecutive defeats against a specific opponent in their league history (also eight vs Leeds between 1973-1976).
-
Man City have kept a clean sheet in six of their last seven league meetings with Arsenal, including the last four in a row since a 3-1 home win in February 2019.
Team news
The biggest news out of Manchester City is the suspension of left-back Benjamin Mendy after he was charged by the police for rape. The player has been laid off indefinitely as he awaits trial. The Citizens will also be without the services of Phil Foden as he recovers from an injury. Kevin De Bruyne is a doubt for the encounter. For Arsenal, the return of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in mid-week was a huge boost ahead of the upcoming clash. Gabriel Magalhaes, Thomas Partey, Ben White, Willian and Alex Runarsson are all out of contention.
Predicted starting XI
-
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; Rodri, Gundogan, Grealish; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling
-
Arsenal: Leno; Cedric, Holding, Mari, Tierney; Xhaka, Lokonga; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang.
Broadcast information
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
