Prediction: Arsenal vs Manchester City

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet

With all eyes falling on the Emirates this weekend, Arsenal will welcome Manchester City to north London for a heavyweight showdown.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have travelled out to France in midweek looking to secure back-to-back Champions League victories, Mikel Arteta’s young squad missed out on the chance to make another European statement. Eventually suffering a collapse on foreign soil as they were hit with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Lens, the Gunners will be seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, excited to turn their attention back to Premier League duties on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal have their sights firmly set on mounting another genuine title charge this time around. Last seen in top-flight action cruising their way to a routine 4-0 romp against a struggling Bournemouth, the one-time Manchester City coach has seen his side gain a string of plaudits on either side of the summer break. Still yet to taste a single domestic defeat since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, Arsenal have also suffered just a single Premier League defeat at the Emirates since way back on February 15th.

Team News

In what looks set to be a huge blow for Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, the Gunners are sweating over the fitness of attacking talisman Bukayo Saka after the England international limped off against Lens in midweek. Likewise, Arteta’s side will also be unable to call upon Gabriel Martinelli here due to a recent muscle injury.

Settling got a spot out in France a few days ago, Ben White should return at right-back. Appearing to have replaced Aaron Ramsdale as Arteta’s number-one since arriving from Brentford this summer, David Raya looks set to keep his spot between Arsenal’s sticks here.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, while Manchester City might have eventually suffered a shock 2-1 loss away at Wolves last weekend, Pep Guardiola’s side came roaring back a few days ago. Claiming an eye-catching 3-1 victory away at German giants RB Leipzig and landing back-to-back Champions League wins, the former Barcelona boss will be calling on his superstar squad to lay down a major marker here. Still winning six of their opening seven Premier League appearances and looking to make even more history this season, the Sky Blues will be excited by a stellar top-flight record against their title rivals. While Manchester City might have been forced to watch Arsenal lift this season’s Community Shield at Wembley on August 8th, it is worth noting that Guardiola’s side have remarkably won each of their last 12 straight Premier League showdowns against the Gunners – a run that stems all the way back to 2-2 stalemate in April 2017.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term injury issue and not making a single appearance since the opening weekend, Manchester City will once again be without Kevin De Bruyne this weekend. However, after returning to Guardiola’s bench in midweek, England international John Stones could be handed a full return here.

While the record-breaking Erling Haaland might have notched just a single strike from his previous four appearances across all competitions, the 23-year-old will spearhead Manchester City’s attack at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met in Premier League action back on April 26th, Manchester City claimed a thumping 4-1 victory at the Etihad.
• Likewise, Manchester City have remarkably won each of their last 10 straight Premier League showdowns against Arsenal – a run that stems all the way back to April 2017.
• However, Manchester City have managed to muster just a single clean sheet from any of their previous eight appearances across all formats.
• Four of Arsenal’s opening five appearances at the Emirates have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Arsenal have suffered just a single Premier League defeat in front of their own supporters since back in February.

Conclusion

Managing to make a crucial return to winning ways earlier in the week as they claimed a 3-1 romp away at German giants RB Leipzig, Manchester City will be desperate to lay down a heavyweight marker here. Hoping to gain some revenge following their Community Shield heartbreak at the hands of Arsenal back in August, the Sky Blues will be excited by a rampant Premier League record against their title rivals. Including a stellar 4-1 win when they welcomed Arteta’s side to the Etihad six months ago, City have remarkably won each of their previous 10 straight top-flight contests against Arsenal. However, it is worth noting, with Arsenal seeing four of their opening five showdowns at the Emirates finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet