After both Arsenal and Manchester City pass their European test earlier this week, the two title contenders go jam for Premier League super showdown this weekend for Emirates Stadium. Arsenal knack Atletico Bilbao 3-1 for Spain, while Man City beat Napoli 2-0 for Etihad.
Match Preview
Arsenal dey show real title hunger. After last season Champions League semi-final run, dem start this campaign with solid form.
New signing Eberechi Eze don bring extra competition, but na Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard wey shine midweek with goals from bench. Dem dey sit second for league table, just behind Liverpool, with 3 wins from 4 games.
For Emirates, Arsenal dey ruthless – dem don beat Leeds 5-0 and Forest 3-0 already this season. Under Mikel Arteta, Gunners dey 5 games unbeaten against Pep Guardiola side, and fans dey believe say this na their time to finally break City dominance.
Manchester City start season slow, but Guardiola machine don dey roll again. After derby win over Man United (3-0) and Champions League victory against Napoli, confidence dey high.
Erling Haaland don already score 6 goals in 5 matches and dey eye Arsenal again after scoring in all Premier League meetings last season. But City no beat Arsenal for last 5 attempts, meaning power balance fit dey shift small to North London.
Form Guide
Arsenal Premier League form: W W L W
Arsenal all competitions: W W L W W
Man City Premier League form: W L L W
Man City all competitions: W L L W W
Team News
For Arsenal, Bukayo Saka still dey injury list, so Noni Madueke fit continue for right wing. Martin Odegaard dey doubt with shoulder issue, while Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz dey out long-term. Martinelli and Trossard dey battle who go start for left wing, after both impress against Bilbao.
For Manchester City, John Stones fit return after injury. But new boys Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush still dey hospital ward, same with Rayan Ait-Nouri. That means youngster Nico O’Reilly go continue for left-back. Attack still dey powered by Foden, Doku, and Haaland.
Possible Lineups
Arsenal XI:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Merino, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres
Man City XI:
Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri, Silva, Reijnders; Foden, Doku; Haaland
Prediction
Arsenal dey strong for Emirates and City never beat dem in last five meetings, but Guardiola men dey bounce back well. Expect tight, tactical clash. Both teams fit score, but draw dey likely.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Man City