The Premier League began on Friday, but the most anticipated game of the opening round will be played on Sunday. In that game, Arsenal will lock horns with Man City at the Emirates Stadium.
This will be a tricky opening game for the Gunners, as they will kick-start their new campaign with a clash with the defending champion. Unai Emery, who will be making his English top-flight debut in this weekend encounter, will be put to the test from the getgo against Guardiola’s side.
The former PSG boss was appointed as the heir to Arsene Wenger in what will be Arsenal’s first season without the Frenchman since his appointment back in 1996. The Spanish tactician takes over at the Emirates Stadium after a disappointing season that saw the north London giant finish sixth and trophy-less.
Under their new manager, Arsenal enjoyed a promising pre-season. Fortunately for Emery, many of the club’s biggest stars were available for the Singapore tour as they had neither participated nor gone far in the 2018 World Cup.
The same cannot be said for Man City. Guardiola was without many of his key players throughout the preseason, with De Bruyne, Sterling, and Jesus having only recently returned to training.
Nonetheless, the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, and Leroy Sane should be fit enough to give Arsenal’s back-four huge worries. Pep will be eager to build on their recent Community Shield triumph and begin their title defense with a bang.
Team news
Sead Kolasinac (knee) is out, with Arsenal’s other left-back Nacho Monreal being a doubt. Laurent Koscielny (Achilles) is nowhere near a return from injury while Aaron Ramsey faces a race against time to overcome a calf injury.
Danilo and David Silva will miss out on this trip for the visitor. Meanwhile, De Bruyne and Sterling are available for selection.
Match facts
- This will be Arsenal’s first Premier League game without Arsene Wenger in charge in 22 years.
- Man City has not lost any of their last nine opening games in the English top-flight (W8, D1).
- The Gunners’ last home win over the Citizens in the English top-flight came back in December 2015, winning only one of their last six home encounters (D3, L2).
- A defending champion has not won their opening Premier League game in the last three seasons.
- Unai Emery could record his first ever victory over Guardiola on Sunday after winning none of their 10 encounters in La Liga (D4, L6).
Broadcast info
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