Key man in major doubt as Arteta makes 6 changes | Expected Arsenal line-up vs Man City

Following a 2-1 victory over Girona in the Champions League in midweek, Arsenal will face off against Manchester City in a crucial Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners are currently second in the league with 47 points from 23 games, sitting six points behind the league leaders Liverpool – who have a game in hand.

Therefore, Mikel Arteta’s side will have to come away with all three points from this fixture to stay in touching distance with the Merseyside club.

On the other hand, Man City have had a difficult first half of this season, although they started promisingly. They are currently fourth in the Premier League with 41 points from 23 games.

It finished 2-2 when these two sides last met in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium, now, it remains to be seen what happened in this fixture.

Team news

David Raya has a muscular problem and as a result, he is in doubt ahead of this game. Moreover, Ben White isn’t in contention to feature this weekend owing to his injury. Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined with their issues.

Predicted line-up

Raya will do everything possible to recover in time and start this high-voltage match. But, if he can’t then Neto could make his Premier League debut for the Gunners.

Gabriel Magalhaes is set to be paired up with William Saliba in the centre-back position, while Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are expected to be the two fullbacks for Arsenal. Therefore, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jakub Kiwior could be among the substitutes.

Thomas Partey should return to his preferred holding midfield position having started in the right-back position in midweek with Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice set to complete the midfield trio. So, Mikel Merino and Jorginho would have to settle for a place on the bench.

Leandro Trossard would be shifted to the left flank after commencing in the middle against Girona, while Kai Havertz is expected to be in the centre-forward position for Arteta’s side. Gabriel Martinelli could be patrolling on the right, therefore, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri could feature off the bench.

Expected Arsenal line-up vs Man City:

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli