Kieran Tierney should return to the lineup while Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka start again when Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Premier League.
Arsenal will be aiming to end Manchester City’s winning streak when the two teams lock horns in Matchweek 25 of the Premier League at the Emirates on Sunday evening.
Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta hasn’t been dealt with any fresh injury blows with summer signings Thomas Partey (thigh) and Runar Alex Runarsson (knee) the only absentees ahead of Manchester City’s visit, as confirmed by the team news section on Arsenal’s official website.
Arsenal fielded a strong lineup for the UEFA Europa League clash against SL Benfica on Thursday night and there are unlikely to be many changes made to the team that started in midweek. Bernd Leno is the undisputed starter between the sticks for the Gunners, where he could be in for a busy evening.
David Luiz, who is in line for a new Arsenal contract, ought to continue as one of the two centre-backs when Manchester City come visiting. While Rob Holding had enjoyed a regular run in the side, the past couple of games have seen Arteta favour Gabriel Magalhaes alongside Luiz and that should be the case once again on Sunday.
With no Partey to call upon, there is little room for rotation in the middle of the park meaning Arsenal should once again go in with the midfield double pivot of Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka, both of whom have been in good form of late.
On-loan Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard impressed in the midweek game against Benfica and should get another start in the No. 10 role for the Gunners against Manchester City. This would mean Emile Smith Rowe moves out to the left flank once again. On the right-wing, Bukayo Saka has been the preferred starter ahead of the likes of Nicolas Pepe and Willian.
Speaking on the game-management of the 19-year-old, who has been a permanent fixture in the starting XI, Arteta said: “It is (difficult) at the moment because he’s been a real threat. He’s involved in a lot of goals all the time and his consistent performances make him a starter obviously. So it’s a fine balance, but at the same time he’s 19 years old and we have to protect him.”
Spearheading the Arsenal attack against Manchester City should be club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has scored five goals in his last two Premier League starts.
Arsenal Predicted XI: Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang.
