The biggest game of the Premier League season arrives on Sunday afternoon as reigning champions Manchester City host last term’s runners-up Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola’s side are the only team in the division with a perfect record after four successive victories but they will be offered their sternest test yet when Mikel Arteta’s men turn up at the Etihad. Arsenal shaded meetings between the two sides last term, winning at the Emirates Stadium and in the Community Shield and earning a draw on the road.

Man City were frustrated midweek when they hosted Inter in the Champions League – a repeat of the 2022/23 final – and had to settle for a point on home soil. Arsenal also took part in a goalless draw against Italian opposition, with David Raya the hero after saving a penalty against Atalanta.

The Gunners produced a perfect away performance to beat north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur last weekend as Gabriel netted the winner in a composed 1-0 victory. A similar result on Sunday would be welcomed with open arms, and would see Arsenal leapfrog Man City in the table.

Here’s 90min’s guide to a mouth-watering clash in Manchester.

Man City vs Arsenal H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Despite Guardiola refusing to definitively rule Kevin De Bruyne out of action, it’s almost certain that the Belgian will miss Sunday’s encounter after sustaining a groin injury against Inter. He joins Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb in the treatment room.

Rodri’s timely return boosts Man City’s options and Phil Foden also featured from the bench against Inter having struggled with illness since Euro 2024. Kyle Walker could step in to provide more defensive stability and Mateo Kovacic could also make a return to the starting lineup.

Erling Haaland will be aiming to add to his nine Premier League goals up against 2023/24’s sternest defence, while Jack Grealish will be hopeful of a start on the left flank ahead of Jeremy Doku.

Man City predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Silva, Grealish; Haaland.

Martin Odegaard is the big miss for Arsenal and Arteta confirmed that the captain’s injury is “quite significant” as he stares at several weeks on the sidelines. He was replaced by Kai Havertz in midfield on Thursday but Arteta could restore Jorginho to that starting lineup this weekend.

Jurrien Timber is likely to start at left-back once again given injuries to Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko, but he may face competition from the returning Riccardo Calafiori.

If Havertz does start up front on Sunday, then Leandro Trossard could move back to the left wing. The Belgian is fighting with Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling for a starting spot.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Man City (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.

On paper, England’s two best sides going head-to-head should offer up a thriller of the highest quality. However, anyone who watched last season’s meetings knows that this will likely be a tactical battle won by spreadsheets rather than stunners.

Man City have been in dazzling form this season but Inter frustrated them midweek, putting in a strong and organised defensive display to stifle Haaland and co. That will be Arsenal’s job this weekend, with five clean sheets from their opening six games – and two against City last term – showing their ability to shut out top level opposition.

This will undoubtedly be a tight affair but the clash coming so early in the season may make it a little more open than it was last term. There may be goals, even if we can’t separate last season’s top two.

Prediction: Man City 1-1 Arsenal

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