Manchester City vs Arsenal (Premier League): Match Preview, Stats, Head To Head, How To Watch | OneFootball

Manchester City host Arsenal on Sunday afternoon as they hope to get one over on their title contending rivals from the last two seasons.

The last few campaigns have seen the Premier League title rivalry shift from Manchester City and Liverpool, to Manchester City and Arsenal, with the two sides separated by a combined six points over the previous two top-flight title races.

Given this, it would be safe to say that this Sunday afternoon’s fixture could have some major implications for the early period of the campaign, with the two sides only being two points apart at present in the table.

The reigning Premier League champions come into the weekend’s contest off the back of an opening European night against Serie A champions Inter Milan, in a rematch of the memorable 2023 Champions League final.

Unlike their meeting in Istanbul 18 months ago, Wednesday night’s match would end in a draw despite both sides registering numerous shots on target, with Ilkay Gundogan missing two crucial chances in the dying embers of the game.

This story would reflect that of the Gunners’ trip to Italy where they took on Bergamo-based Atalanta, ending the match in a draw thanks in part to an incredible double-save from David Raya.

When it comes to domestic football, both sides have gotten off to a blistering start in the Premier League, with the Sky Blues yet to drop a single point, and the Gunners having only dropped two in their last time out.

Match Details

Manchester City take on Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with kick-off scheduled for 16:30 (UK).

Team News

Kevin De Bruyne could yet feature in Sunday afternoon’s match following his early substitution on Wednesday night due to a knock in the first half, with Pep Guardiola stating during his pre-match press conference, “Kevin feels a little better… he could be involved.”

Phil Foden made a return to match action for Manchester City against Inter Milan in midweek, following an illness that kept him out of the early stages of the Premier League campaign for the Cityzens.

Mikel Arteta is set to be without a group of key players heading into Sunday afternoon’s clash, as captain Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney, and Oleksandr Zinchenko are set to be sidelined.

Declan Rice is set to return to action in the Premier League off the back of a one-match suspension for the club following his second yellow card against Brighton & Hove Albion towards the end of last month.

Head to Head

While Manchester City have managed to win the previous two seasons in the title fights between the two sides, Arsenal have managed to get the better of them in their recent meetings.

In the last five matches between Manchester City and Arsenal, it has been the Gunners who have managed to take wins in two games, with the two sides drawing in two other meetings, and Pep Guardiola’s side registering the one victory.

Statistics

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League home games against Arsenal (W7 D2) since a 2-0 defeat in January 2015.

Arsenal earned four points against Manchester City in the Premier League last season, double the amount they had from their previous 15 such meetings with the Citizens (W0 D2 L13).

Arsenal kept a clean sheet in both Premier League meetings with Manchester City last season, having conceded at least once in their last 16 against the Citizens beforehand (40 goals in total).

Arsenal have won 99 of their 211 meetings with Manchester City in all competitions (D47 L65). They have only reached triple figures for victories against Everton (111), while it is the most defeats the Citizens have suffered against an opponent in their history.

Having won their first four Premier League games this season, Manchester City are looking to become the first team in English top-flight history to win their first five in five different campaigns, previously doing so in 1912-13, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2023-24.

How to Watch

For viewers in the United Kingdom, you can view Sunday afternoon’s clash live on Sky Sports Main Event.

For viewers in the United States, you can view the match on USA Network with kick-off scheduled for 11:30AM EST.

You can find full global TV listings for the mammoth encounter in the Premier League HERE!

City Xtra will have full live coverage available on our X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram channels throughout Wednesday evening, with content also provided on cityxtra.co.uk and YouTube!