Arsenal vs Man City preview, predictions & possible XIs
Manchester City will hope to keep their slim Premier League title hopes alive when they face Arsenal on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side are currently third in the table but sit 14 points behind leaders Liverpool and could enter Sunday’s game a further three away.
Man City go into this weekend’s game on the back off a league defeat to Manchester United, which is part of a run of just two wins from their past five games — not form for a team chasing the title.
Meanwhile Arsenal aren’t faring much better, with their win over West Ham United on Monday being their only league victory in their past eight games. The Gunners are yet to truly experience a boost after sacking Unai Emery, but interim boss Freddie Ljungberg will be hoping it comes against a potentially wounded Man City side.
Read on for our Arsenal vs Man City preview, predictions, team news, TV coverage information and more.
When is Arsenal vs Man City and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Date: Sunday, 19 August 2019
Kick-off: 4:30 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Premier League
Last five meetings: Arsenal vs Man City
03 February 2019: Man City 3-1 Arsenal (Premier League)
12 August 2018: Arsenal 0-2 Man City (Premier League)
01 March 2018: Arsenal 0-3 Man City (Premier League)
25 February 2018: Arsenal 0-3 Man City (League Cup)
05 November 2017: Man City 3-1 Arsenal (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Arsenal (LLLL) 2-14 Man City (WWWWW)
Ones to watch
Arsenal: Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal’s season hasn’t produced too many bright moments for their fans, but one has definitely been the breakthrough of Gabriel Martinelli.
The teenager is undoubtedly one of Arsenal’s best-performing outfield players and marked his first Premier League start with a goal against West Ham United on Monday. This added on to seven goals in six appearances across cup competitions, including a brace in the ridiculous 5-5 Carabao Cup draw against Liverpool.
Martinelli only having a brief appearance on Thursday night could be proof that he is ready to start against Man City and the Brazilian will certainly be up for it.
Key stat: Only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (13) has scored more goals for Arsenal across all competitions than Gabriel Martinelli (8) this season.
Man City: Kevin De Bruyne
This Arsenal team is there for the taking and, if Man City are to turn their season around, Kevin De Bruyne needs to perform.
The Belgian raced clear as the Premier League’s assist leader early on, recording nine in his first 10 games. However, he remains on nine and has allowed the rest of the league to catch up.
But if there is a game for De Bruyne to reach double figures it’s this one. Given a freer role, the Belgian can hurt Arsenal’s defence with his excellent crossing and key passes, linking up particularly with Riyad Mahrez.
Key stat: Kevin De Bruyne (60) has created at least nine more chances than any other player in the Premier League.
Team news
Arsenal
Arsenal made nine changes for their 2-2 draw with Standard Liege so are expected to recall a number of stars on Sunday. Martinelli was one of those to be dropped to the bench in Belgium so could return to the starting XI after a positive performance against West Ham on Monday.
Kieran Tierney will miss out after dislocating his shoulder while Sunday may also prove too soon for Hector Bellerin, who pulled out of the West Ham win during the warm up. Granit Xhaka is also out after suffering a concussion.
Predicted XI: Leno; Chambers, Luiz, Sokratis, Kolasinac; Torreira, Guendouzi; Pepe, Ozil; Martinelli, Aubameyang.
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Man City
Gabriel Jesus will continue to lead the line in Sergio Aguero’s absence, despite having a lack of rest, and should be joined in the XI by the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling.
David Silva faces a late fitness test after picking up a knock but John Stones is definitely out after suffering a thigh injury in the Manchester Derby.
Predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Angelino; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.
Squawka prediction
Despite winning in midweek in the Champions League, this will be the game where Man City really take out their frustrations from the Manchester Derby defeat.
The Citizens have scored at least two in each of their past five games against Arsenal and the Gunners have only beat Guardiola’s Man City once en route to glory in the 2017 FA Cup final.
All this points to a Man City win and, with Arsenal’s defence threadbare and vulnerable, it could be heavy.
Scoreline prediction: Arsenal 0-4 Man City
