Premier League Preview: Manchester City vs Arsenal - Analysis and Insights

The first blockbuster game of the Premier League season takes place this weekend, as last season’s top two meet at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City have four wins from four, with a cheat code Erling Haaland scoring nine goals in that time, while Arsenal, apart from a draw at home to Brighton, have also had a smooth start with three wins.

This is already a huge game in the title race, and there are many subplots that make this game undoubtedly the most intriguing of the season so far.

As the game approaches, we take a closer look at both sides, delving into strategies, team news, key players and absences that could decide this titanic tussle.

Man City vs Arsenal Standings

The two most likely protagonists in the Premier League title race have both had very similar starts to their campaigns.

Home side and four time reigning champions Manchester City have begun as many expected, scoring eleven goals in four league games, with nine of them coming from the inevitable Erling Haaland.

They began their season in the same fashion they will be yearning to end it, with silverware in their hands, as they defeated Man United in a Community Shield Manchester Derby, winning 7-6 in the deciding shootout.

However, one surprise about their winning form so far is their lack of clean sheets. They have only picked up one, and strangely this came in arguably their trickiest fixture so far, their season opener away to Chelsea. Since then, they have conceded to Ipswich, West Ham and Brentford, and will be looking to find a little more defensive certainty when their title rivals come to town.

City also opened their Champions League campaign with a home draw to Inter Milan, in a repeat of the 2022/23 final. While dominant, City missed a host of good opportunities, and had to settle for a frustrating and goalless share of the points.

Inter fans flying to England to play Manchester City 🤝 Liverpool fans flying back from Italy after beating Milan 3-1 🤣 pic.twitter.com/vk1aPbqaoI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 19, 2024

Arsenal are also undefeated, and also drew their first Champions League game in a nervy 0-0 draw away to Atalanta. They were in fact lucky to pick up a point, and had to be saved by Spanish keeper David Raya, who made a miraculous double stop from a penalty and subsequent rebound to save Thomas Partey’s blushes.

DAVID RAYA, TAKE A BOW!

One of the best double saves you'll ever see 🤯

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/sPgZF293QI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 19, 2024

It was an unusually poor performance where the Gunners’ were on the back foot the majority of the time, and they were clearly missing the presence of Martin Odegaard in the center of the park.

However, they have been more convincing in the league, beating Wolves, Aston Villa and Spurs to currently sit in second, two points adrift of City. However, with a reduced squad caused by injuries, they may struggle to start their strongest lineup at the Etihad, and if City can bully their dwindling midfield, it could be a long day for Arsenal.

Man City vs Arsenal Recent Meetings

31/03/2024: Man City 0-0 Arsenal.
08/10/2023: Arsenal 1-0 Man City.
06/08/2023: Man City 1(1) - 1(4) Arsenal (Community Shield).
26/04/2023: Man City 4-1 Arsenal.
15/02/2023: Arsenal 1-3 Man City.

Man City vs Arsenal Team News

City are missing only two players through injury, with one of them being the now well known absence of Oscar Bobb, who suffered a broken leg during a pre-season training session after performing exceptionally in multiple friendlies.

Nathan Ake is also missing due to a thigh injury picked up during the international break.

Arsenal are suffering from something of an injury crisis at present, missing midfielders Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard through seemingly long-term issues, restricting their efficiency in the middle of the pitch.

🚨 Breaking: Arteta confirms that Martin Odegaard has suffered ankle ligament damage following tests.

What does this mean?

❌ If it’s a grade 1 (minor) injury the Arsenal skipper could be out for 4-6 weeks.

❌If it is a total rupture (Grade 1 / Grade 2) he could be missing… pic.twitter.com/RilRvJy6gL
— Zac Wilson (@ZACWILSON_) September 18, 2024

Combined with this, they are missing a number of players across the backline, including Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksander Zinchenko, Keiran Tierney and summer signing Riccardo Calafiori.

Fortunately, their key center back pairing of Saliba and Gabriel remains unblemished by injury, while Ben White also remains fit. Declan Rice also returns from suspension after his red card in the draw to Brighton.

Man City vs Arsenal Predicted Lineups

Man City (3-2-4-1): Ederson (GK), Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Gundogan, Savinho, Silva, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya (GK), White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Havertz, Rice, Partey, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

Man City vs Arsenal Player to Watch

Erling Haaland is the only possible choice for this. Nine goals in four games is almost unheard of, particularly in a division as tough as the Premier League, and he has made it look like a stroll in the park.

Going shoulder to shoulder with Erling Haaland is the most dangerous thing in football

pic.twitter.com/yARv1pPgZT
— 🧢 🇷🇼 (@BMNCTY) September 12, 2024

His collection of goals so far this season has been a catalog of world class striker play. His first time finishes, runs in behind and one on ones have been unstoppable, and he has absolutely bullied every center back he has faced this season (Ethan Pinnock may have to rethink career prospects after that body check).

In the best form of his life, there is no way that Haaland doesn’t find himself amongst the goals against Arsenal, it is simply a question of how many.

Where can I watch Man City vs Arsenal?

Coverage of the game will start on Sky Sports Premier League at 3:45, with kick off at 4:30. Text commentary will also be available on Sky Sports Scorers, BBC Sports, and any other live scores app of your choosing.