- The Arsenal vs Manchester City tie is expected to kick off at 7:30 PM EAT on Sunday.
- The most recent game between the two sides ended 2-2.
Rivals Arsenal and Manchester City will meet for the first time in 2025 on Sunday, February 2 in an important Premier League tie.
Arsenal will be aiming to secure the three points that will be on offer and reduce the gap that Liverpool have opened at the top of the standings.
The Gunners are ranked second at the moment with 47 points, nine less than Liverpool who beat Bournemouth to extend their gap at the summit.
Besides the three points that will be on offer, Arsenal also go into this match with a point to prove.
The North London based side were ridiculed by most football fans after bottling a 2-1 lead to draw 2-2 with the Citizens in a match that saw them employ defensive tactics after the controversial sending off of their Belgian winger Leandro Trossard.
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Arsenal thought that they had managed to collect three points at the Etihad Stadium for the first time in many years but were forced to settle for a point after John Stones equalized for Manchester City in the final minutes of the heated clash.
Sunday’s game comes at a time when Arsenal have already confirmed their participation in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
The Mikel Arteta coached side finished third in the 36-team league phase after beating Girona 2-1 in the match week eight fixture that was played on Wednesday thanks to goals from Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri.
On the other hand, Manchester City, who occupy the fourth position in the Premier League log at the moment with 41 points, squeezed themselves into the Champions League play-offs phase after coming from behind to beat Club Brugge 3-1.
The brilliant performance came a few days after they overcame Chelsea by a similar score line at the same venue.
Here are the key facts you need to understand ahead of the upcoming tie.
What time does Arsenal vs Manchester City start?
The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM East African Time (EAT) on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Team News
Arsenal will be without their star forwards Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, who are nursing hamstring and knee injuries in that order.
In addition, the defensive duo of Benjamin White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are still recovering from knee issues.
With the absence of Saka, Arteta is likely to go with an attacking lineup that has the likes of Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli.
As for Manchester City, they are set to make the trip to London without Nathan Ake (muscle), Rodri (knee), Ruben Dias (groin), Oscar Bobb (unspecified) and Jeremy Doku (unspecified).
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Possible Starting Lineups
Arsenal: Raya, Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz
Manchester City: Ederson, Gvardiol, Akanji, Stones, Nunez, Kovacic, Silva, De Bruyne, Marmoush, Foden, Haaland
Arsenal vs Manchester City Head-to-head
Manchester City and Arsenal have played each other five times in all competitions since 2023 with both clubs registering a single win.
The latest fixture between the two sides that was played at the Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 ended 2-2.
Arsenal: 1
Draws: 3
Manchester City: 1
Arsenal vs Manchester City Current Form (all competitions)
Arsenal: WDWWW
Manchester City: DWLWW
Arsenal vs Manchester City Predictions
This is one of the most important matches for Arsenal this season since a win can help them to draw closer to Liverpool and perhaps lift the elusive Premier League title at the end of the season.
Therefore, the Gunners, who will have the support of their home fans will give their best to collect all the three points.
However, that will not be easy since despite Manchester City having issues in their backline, they have what it takes to beat Arsenal.
Therefore, football supporters should expect an entertaining match that is likely to end with none of the sides keeping a clean sheet.
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