Manchester City and Arsenal have been the top two in the Premier League for each of the past two seasons, meaning Sunday's clash at the Etihad Stadium feels potentially seismic despite coming just five matchweeks into the 2024/25 season.
Pep Guardiola's men have been perfect so far domestically, winning four out of four in England's top flight.
City came from behind in their previous two home games against Ipswich Town and Brentford to take the points but it would be foolish to start so sluggishly against Arsenal. Even though they pipped the Gunners at the post in the title race, the four-time reigning champions did not score in either 2023/24 Premier League match against Mikel Arteta's men.
Arsenal and City each shared goalless draws with Italian opponents in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, so don't rule out another cagey, high-stakes contest.
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Man City vs. Arsenal lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news
Kevin De Bruyne was replaced at halftime against Inter Milan in midweek following a collision with visiting goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The Belgian has not made it in time to face a club he has eight goals and four assists against in 14 Premier League matches. Ilkay Gundogan is in for his first start since rejoining City from Barcelona.
Club captain Kyle Walker replaces Rico Lewis at right-back, while Savinho and Jeremy Doku start on the wings meaning bench duty for Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
Man City predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Ederson (GK) — Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol — Silva, Rodri, Gundogan — Savinho, Haaland, Doku.
Injured: Bobb (broken leg), De Bruyne
Suspended: None
Declan Rice returned to the Arsenal line-up against Atalanta following his domestic suspension and lines up in a midfield still without ankle-injury victim Martin Odegaard.
Gabriel Jesus started as captain in Odegaard's absence in Bergamo but the Brazilian struggled before making way with an hour played. Leandro Trossard gets the nod in the centre of the attack, playing a more fluid role as Kai Havertz drops into midfield once more.
Ben White is surprisingly benched, with Jurrien Timber switching to right-back and Riccardo Calafiori making his fill debut in the other fullback position.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori — Partey, Rice — Saka, Havertz, Martinelli — Trossard.
Injured: Merino (shoulder), Odegaard (ankle), Tierney (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee), Zinchenko (calf)
Suspended: None
MORE: Kevin De Bruyne injury: Who will replace Man City midfielder when Pep Guardiola's men face Arsenal?
Man City vs. Arsenal live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Premier League match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | Fubo, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App |
| Canada | — | Fubo |
| UK | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League | Sky GO, Sky Sports website |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Star Sports Select 1 | JioTV, Hotstar VIP |
