Manchester City will face Arsenal in game week three of the 2021-22 Premier League season on Saturday afternoon. In their recent meetings, both teams won convincingly with City cruising to a 5-0 win over Norwich City and Arsenal thrashing West Bromwich Albion 6-0 in the EFL Cup. Here is everything you need to know about Manchester City vs Arsenal football prediction, team news, and lineup for the first Premier League of the season.
Team news
Manchester City
Phil Foden is still out from Manchester City squad while and Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne will not play this weekend.
Aymeric Laporte appears to be in line for a first-team debut as John Stones returns from a lengthy injury layoff.
Gabriel Jesus shone from wide against Norwich, but Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez are both vying for starts on Saturday.
On Thursday City announced football news that they have suspended Benjamin Mendy after being charged by the police.
Arsenal
Arsenal has Alexandre Laczette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Martin Odegaard available, though only the latter two are expected to start.
Aubameyang appears to be safe to lead the line after scoring a hat-trick against West Brom on Wednesday night. With Odegaard in the No.10 position, Emile Smith Rowe may have to play out wide.
After Bukayo Saka suffered a serious knee injury against West Brom, Nicolas Pepe is on standby. According to Mikel Arteta, Ben White will miss out again in another setback for the Gunners.
Kieran Tierney was not risked in midweek, but he should be fit to play at the Etihad. Aaron Ramsdale is not expected to take over in goal for Bernd Leno just yet.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Prediction
After losing their first game of the season Man Cty defeated Norwich 5-0 last weekend. With a 6-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, Arsenal earned their first win of the season.
Arsenal has now lost five games in a row at the Etihad. The timely returns of Aubameyang and Lacazette will be invaluable to Arsenal on the attacking front, and the Gunners are in a far better position than they were against Chelsea.
However, Arteta faces the same old problems, as his team should put up a better fight but will be blown away by the reigning champions’ superiority.
Lineup
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; Rodri, Gundogan, Grealish; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Leno; Cedric, Holding, Mari, Tierney; Xhaka, Lokonga; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang
Our Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal
