Arsenal host Manchester City at the Emirates in one of the glamor fixtures of recent Premier League seasons. The Gunners sit third, a point behind Spurs and five points behind Liverpool at the top, both of whom have already played this weekend. Manchester City sit in 12th, with two wins and two losses to their name. We’re five games into the season and it already feels like a proverbial must-win for both clubs. Arsenal cannot afford to let Liverpool build a lead at the top and Manchester City are
already losing pace.
In case you forgot (how could you?!) Arsenal smashed Manchester City at the Emirates 5-1 last season, a result I’m sure will be on the minds of players on both sides of the pitch. The match was a signpost for two or three seasons of building from Arsenal and a cathartic moment for all to down the 115+-charge-pending club that had stolen two titles out from under the Gunners. Was it a true indicator that, after years of frustration and defeat for Arsenal, the rivalry between the two clubs has well and truly flipped?
Not if City’s impossibly deep pockets and Pep Guardiola’s managing acumen have anything to say about it. It’s clear the roster needed retooling after they fell apart (a relative term) last season when Rodri went down with an ACL tear. They spent £180M on six players in the January window, added seven more this summer, and shed several aging, familiar names (Kyle Walker, Gundogan, Ederson, KDB, and Grealish on loan). Manchester City are a team in transition as they try to reestablish themselves and build a new identity.
There cannot be many better players to build around than Erling Haaland. The prolific striker has five goals in four matches so far this season and has scored four and assisted two more in six matches against Arsenal. Fresh off getting rid of the platinum blonde dye job, Phil Foden seems to be finding some form after what feels like an entire season in the wilderness.
Arsenal may have a significant advantage today — rest. Last season, the Gunners had to travel to the Etihad on short rest after a Thursday Champions League match. This year, the script has flipped. The Gunners played on Tuesday. City played on Thursday. The visitors will have to manage that quick turnaround and short rest.
Manchester City will be without new signings Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri, as well as Omar Marmoush and Mateo Kovacic. John Stones was not fit in time to play in the Champions League on Thursday but has been training all week and is expected to be available. It remains to be seen whether Rodri, who is being closely managed through his return from an ACL injury which has already seen some muscle problems, is fit enough to start his third match in seven days.
Arsenal will be without Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. Both are a ways away from returning. Havertz is expected back in about a month. Jesus is still likely two-plus months away. Ben White is likely out, although his absence is not confirmed. I’d expect one of either Bukayo Saka or Martin Ødegaard to be available because Max Dowman was with the U21s this weekend.
It’s likely Ødegaard. The Arsenal captain said in his program notes that his first shoulder injury had completely healed before he landed on it again last weekend and that he’s just managing the soreness. Bukayo Saka has reportedly returned to full training but I’d expect this match has come too soon. William Saliba was fit enough to make the bench against Bilbao, so he should be in line to start. If he’s not at starting level, Cristhian Mosquera will fill in again, which he has done admirably.
Lineups will be posted when available.
WHO: Arsenal vs Manchester City
WHAT: Premier League match day 5
WHEN: Sunday, September 21st, 8:30 am PT | 11:30 am ET | 4:30 pm GMT
WHERE: The Emirates Stadium, London
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming on the Peacock app.
Yes, they’ve got Arsenal-Manchester City as a streaming-only match. Gotta push people to your platform somehow, I guess. For all your international streaming needs, check LiveSoccerTV.com. Please do not discuss or share links to illegal streams here.
