Game Week 5 Predictions: City to beat Arsenal at the Etihad

Manchester City vs Arsenal preview: key players, tactics, and predictions for the crucial clash as both teams vie for Premier League dominance.

Manchester City will return to the summit with a point against Arsenal on Sunday while the Gunners must beat City to stand a chance to gain top spot, who will come out tops? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

 

Manchester City vs. Arsenal

Etihad Stadium

4:30pm

This is no doubt the game of the weekend across Europe; despite the famous Milan derby taking place in Italy, this fixture between Premier League champions Manchester City and back-to-back runners-up Arsenal is the one to watch.

Mikel Arteta defeated his former boss and friend, Pep Guardiola of Manchester City, for the first time last season at the Emirates and avoided defeat in three games against the megastar manager over the course of the season, with the second leg ending in a goalless draw at the Etihad.

Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have shown respect for each other in their press conferences leading up to this massive match. Guardiola marinates opponents before offering them to the gods of defeat, but he respects Arteta.

The Cityzens endured a torrid time at home against Inter Milan in the Champions League; the Italians defended like demons, closing down every attempt from the hosts. Guardiola feared he’d experience the same when the Gunners visit the Etihad.

Mikel Arteta knows his former boss quite well; he is aware of how they play, and he understands the importance of staying close to them in the title race. Without Martin Odegaard, who is now expected to be sidelined for a little longer than the postulated three weeks, Arsenal must find a way on Sunday.

Liverpool leapfrogged everyone with a clinical home win against Bournemouth on Saturday; Chelsea got into the mix with a brilliant win away at West Ham; the duo of Manchester City and Arsenal can only return to the top with a point and a win, respectively.

How will they lineup? The champions welcomed Kevin De Bruyne back to the fold after limping off in the midweek game against Inter Milan. KDB has consistently played a significant role in this fixture and is poised to pose a threat to the Gunners once more.

Nathan Ake is the only player missing from this match for Manchester City. Bernardo Silva and Rodri will pull strings in the middle, while the man with more goals than eighteen of the clubs in the Premier League, Erling Haaland, will lead the line. Will he find joy against the Gunners?

Arsenal’s strength is clearly in their defensive unit. They will stay compact, keep their disciplined shape, and hope to hit their hosts on the counter. Gabriel and William Saliba are the best centre-back partnership in the league; add Ben White and the impressive Jurien Timber to that, and it’s a solid set-up.

Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz have combined to score three times this season. City must be wary of the Star Boy; Gabriel Martinelli hasn’t been impressive in recent games. Is this the time for Raheem Sterling to come back to bite his former employers?

Verdict: Manchester City to win.