team news
The boss is clearly happy with what he has seen in those two games so keeps faith with his players for today’s trip to the Emirates.
It’s the first time in more than four years that Pep has named an unchanged starting XI for three games in a row when, in August 2021, the same side started against Norwich, Arsenal and Leicester.
The only other occasion was in 2017, when Pep started the same XI against Chelsea, Stoke and Napoli.
Team News
CITY: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodrigo, Bernardo (C), Reijnders, Foden, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Stones, Ake, Nico, Savinho, Nunes, Bobb, Mukasa, Lewis
ARSENAL XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Merino, Madueke, Trossard, Gyökeres
Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Saka, Eze, Martinelli, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly
WHEN AND WHERE
Pep Guardiola’s side lock horns with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday 21 September, with kick-off scheduled for 16:30 (UK).
It’s available to watch live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with supporters around the world able to find out where to tune in at the foot of this page, via our TV listings from livesoccertv.com.
You can also follow the action across the afternoon on our official app, as well as the key moments on X: @ManCity.
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Arsenal v City app coverage
Our official app allows you to follow all of the action from our latest Premier League showdown with Arsenal from one place.
Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at around 15:15 (UK).
Izzy Christiansen joins Natalie Pike in the studio, with FG, Michael Brown and MCFC Lads’ Luke Stanley coming live from North London before, during and after the action.
During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Michael Brown while our text commentary continues.
Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.
We’ll have a quick-hit 2-minute highlights package available at 20:15 (UK), while you can sign-in to watch a free 8-minute edit at midnight.
On CITY+ meanwhile, there’ll be our popular full-match replay as well as our new extended highlights offering which features the best 20 minutes of action from the game. Both are also available at midnight.
PEP GUARDIOLA PREVIEW
Pep Guardiola says he’s very happy with the attitude and application of his team heading into this weekend’s clash with Arsenal.
“I know when my team is consistent because when you win six Premier Leagues you have been a machine, a consistent team and for that they have to prove more,” he said.
“But of course we arrive the week against United, Napoli and now Arsenal, I would say it’s not an easy week but in the Premier League, always it’s like that.
“What’s important is the feeling, the vibe of the team, the body language especially I am focused on that.
“The body language of the team has grown up. I’m pretty pleased for that.
“Win or lose, always we try. But when you see the team is in a good vibe that’s what you have to do.”
OPPOSING MANAGER - MIKEL ARTETA
After leaving Guardiola’s City backroom staff for the head coach role at Arsenal in December 2019, Mikel Arteta has rebuilt the Gunners into a title-challengers.
Since he took up the Emirates hot-seat, he’s led them to second-place finishes each of the last three Premier League seasons while winning the FA Cup in 2020.
Although that cup triumph represents the only major honour of the Spaniard’s tenure so far, under his stewardship, Arsenal have been one of the most consistent teams domestically and on the continent.
And after winning three of their opening four top-flight matches in 2025/26 so far they’re on course to challenge once again this season.
DANGER MEN
After plundering a staggering 97 goals in 102 appearances in all competitions for Sporting between 2023 and 2025, summer signing Viktor Gyokeres has maintained that momentum since signing for Arsenal in the summer.
Across his five outings for the north Londoners so far he’s scored three times - and he’s not the only eye-catching signing the Gunners made in preseason.
Crystal Palace ace Eberechi Eze arrived alongside fellow England international Noni Madueke to inject fresh attacking impetus into Arteta’s side.
Alongside Bakayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, Arsenal have an squad full of players capable of making the difference in high-pressure environments.
PREVIOUS MEETING
We last met Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in February where we suffered a 5-1 defeat.
After Erling Haaland equalised after Odegaard’s opener, the Gunners secured three-points by the final whistle.
LAST TIME OUT
City began our 15th successive season in the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Napoli.
After a goalless first half, Erling Haaland became the fastest player in the competition’s history to reach 50 goals when flicking Phil Foden’s scooped cross home in the Norwegian’s 49th outing.
Jeremy Doku then set the seal on a fine evening when doubling our lead.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Nick Hopton
Fourth official: Craig Pawson
VAR: Jarred Gillett
Assistant VAR: Ian Hussin.
GLOBAL TV LISTINGS
Supporters around the world can find out how to tune in to watch the match live by clicking here, courtesy of livesoccertv.com.
Listings correct as of Sunday 21 September.
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