Spanish midfielder serves final game of three-match ban
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 3.30pm, Sunday 8th October 2023
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: S Burt, L Betts Fourth Official: T Robinson VAR: J Brooks
Odds: Arsenal 12/5, Draw 15/8, Man City 7/5
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Sky Sports
Arsenal
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Squad (from): Ramsadale, Raya, Hein, Saliba, White, Gabriel, Kiwior, Tomiyasu, Zinchenko, Partey, Odegaard, SMith Rowe, Jorginho, Vieira, Elneny, Havertz, Rice, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, Nketiah, Troosard, Nelson
Injured: Timber
Doubtful: Saka, Martinelli
Suspended: None
Form guide: LWWDW
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol. Akanji, Lewis, Phillips, Kovacic, Grealish, Silva, Gomez, Nunes, Foden, Bobb, Haaland, Doku, Alvarez
Injured: De Bruyne
Doubtful: Stones
Suspended: Rodri
Form guide: WLLWW
Rodri will miss the trip to the Emirates Stadium as he completes a three-match suspension following his red card against Nottingham Forest. John Stones is back in the squad after injury, but is unlikely to start on Sunday.
The Gunners finished as runners-up last season, and, having spent a considerable amount over the summer to strengthen their squad, Pep Guardiola believes that they will challenge for the title again.
"Absolutely (they will be title rivals), along with Liverpool,” Guardiola said at Friday's press conference.
“To analyse contenders, the idea is the first 10 games. We haven't played 10; we have to wait but big clubs are always contenders.
“Arsenal is back. When I was a young boy and starting as a manager at Barcelona. I know they fought Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United team.
“Then for many years they were not there but now they're back.
“It's a contender yes and when you see in the calendar it says you go to the Emirates (you know) it’s a tougher one.
City won their last game against at The Emirates 3-1, with goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland. Overall City have won 52 of the 178 games played against the Gunners, with 41 draws and 85 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Bernardo, Grealish, Foden, Alvarez, Haaland
Score prediction: Arsenal 2 City 2