Arsenal are set for a big test of character as they face a resurgent Manchester City at the Emirates in what would be another tactical battle between two top managers.

Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, have developed a knack for performing at their best in games against the big sides, and the next test comes against Manchester City. The fact that they have not lost a game against City in the past two seasons is evidence of that. Arteta could also become the first manager to go unbeaten against the former champions for a fifth consecutive game should the Gunners avoid defeat on Sunday.

The last time Arsenal hosted Manchester City at the Emirates, it resulted in a 5-1 thrashing of Pep Guardiola’s side. Arteta will want another controlled performance from his players, something they have done in the five games across all competitions, with the most recent one being the 2-0 away win at Athletic Club in their UEFA Champions League opener.

The upcoming game against Manchester City is by no means a straightforward one, and Arteta will want to make a statement of sorts with a big win. After four games this season, the Gunners are already trailing leaders Liverpool by three points, something they do not want to extend. Hence, a win is imperative, especially given that this tie is on home soil.

Incidentally, Manchester City could also make a big statement of intent in the title race with a win away from home against Arsenal. Guardiola’s side were known to guarantee a win in the years before against the Gunners, but that element has changed in the last two years.

Manchester City are in a resurgent vein of form after two stellacr victories over Manchester United and Napoli, although both those games were played at the Etihad. Hence, Guardiola will eye a top-notch performance against their arch-rivals away from home, as a win here would let the club announce themselves as a big contender in the title race.

There will be question marks about their credibility to get thtree points here, although from Mancehster City’s perspective, a draw at the Emirates will also seem like a big result in the context of the title race. All in all, this will be a tough away game for Guardiola, as he will certainly want to avoid Arteta going will against his protege for a fifth consecutive time in the Premier League.

Team News & Tactics

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta does have fitness isues with his squad, with Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all set to miss out. With Saka, there might be a slight chance for him to make the game, but even then, he might be stationed on the bench, as Noni Madueke will continue on the right wing.

Martin Odegaard’s recurrence of the shoulder problem last weekend is once again not deemed serious. The Arsenal skipper has a huge chance to mark his return against Manchester City, as there are rumblings that should he turn up fit, he might start this weekend.

However, Arteta is likely to resist the temptation of starting his captain, and he might instead prefer the dynamic Mikel Merino. After the game against Athletic Club, the manager might be tempted to start one of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard on the left wing, but that may not happen as Eberechi Eze will be preferred on the left-hand side. Viktor Gyokeres will continue to lead the line for Arsenal against Manchester City.

Arteta will make one change at the back as the returning William Saliba will replace the impressive Cristhian Mosquera. Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber are expected to retain their places at the back, while Ben White could return to the matchday squad.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Merino, Eze; Gyokeres

Manchester City

Manchester City have managed two wins on the bounce despite missing a host of their first team stars. Omar Marmoush is out of the Arsenal clash, while Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri are also missing alongside Mateo Kovacic.

John Stones is a fitness boost for Manchester City, but the chances of the experienced centre-back making the cut are slim, meaning he might make the bench against Arsenal. Pep Guardiola did not guarantee a start for star midfielder Rodri, who is only coming back from a serious injury and has started the last two games for Manchester City.

One might expect the Ballon d’Or holder to start a game of this magnitude, as he will partner summer arrival Tijjani Reijnders in the middle of the park. Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku’s recent resurgence will keep their spots in the starting lineup intact, as the same could be said for young defender Abdukodir Khusanov at right-back.

Erling Haaland has a good enough record against Arsenal despite his team’s overall struggles against the North Londoners. The Norwegian striker will lead the line, with Bernardo Silva also a part of the attacking equation, as the Portuguese tactician will likely play out wide on the right-hand side.

Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri; Silva, Foden, Reijnders, Doku; Haaland

Key Stats

• Arsenal are undefeated in 29 of their last 32 matches in the Premier League.
• Arsenal have conceded just once in their five games so far across all competitions.
• Manchester City are without a win over Arsenal in five games across all competitions.
• Manchester City have won two games in a row for the first time this season.
• Arsenal have won their last three Premier League home games by an aggregate score of 9-0. They last won four in a row without conceding in December 2021, while they last won their first three at home in a season without conceding in 1960/61.

Player to Watch

Mikel Merino

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There are many individual battles across the pitch in this game, but Mikel Merino could be Mikel Arteta’s trump card for the dynamism he brings to the game. The Arsenal boss has unlocked a new version of the midfielder since the turn of the year, and he will now hope Merino brings the form he has had for Spain of late when they take on Manchester City.

Merino is expected to play a role that allows Arsenal a midfield overload as well as a certain threat in the attacking third. Tactically, the Spaniard’s presence has helped improve the attacking game, and Arteta will once again hope the midfielder comes out on top in this game of tactical battle between the two managers, where Merino could be the trump card.

Prediction

Arsenal 3-1 Manchester City

Manchester City have a good enough squad to go out there and beat Arsenal, whom they have struggled against in recent seasons. However, their form has been hit-and-miss since the new season began, and while they have improved lately, the task at hand to beat Arsenal might prove a little tricky, especially given how defensively solid Arteta’s side are at the moment.

Arsenal have been in flying form on home soil, and that may reflect again when they take on Manchester City on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s side are well-drilled and with plenty of depth to help him change the course of the game if things are not going as planned.

While Arsenal may lack in terms of quality in certain areas, overall, they are much more equipped to secure three points in a big way against Manchester City on Sunday. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Mikel Arteta and his charges.