Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake both come into Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven for what promises to be one of the most significant matches of the season yet with third-placed City hosting the front runners and just a point separating the sides.
From the team that began our last match, a dominant 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final triumph over Newcastle United 15 days ago, Jeremy Doku reverts to the bench.
Kyle Walker, who also started against the Magpies, is ruled out through the injury he picked up whilst on international duty with England.
Goalkeeper Ederson, who was forced off injured in our 1-1 league draw at Liverpool earlier this month, is also still unavailable.
However, John Stones, who was taken off as a precaution during England’s 2-2 draw with Belgium in midweek, is named on the bench.
Teams
CITY XI: Ortega Moreno, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Foden, Haaland
Subs: Carson, Stones, Grealish, Doku, Alvarez, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis
ARSENAL XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard, Saka, Jesus, Havertz
Subs: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Zinchenko, Partey, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Trossard, Martinelli, Nketiah
Tactics
Stefan Ortega Moreno retains his role as the last line of the defence and will be shielded this afternoon by a back four of Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Ake and Josko Gvardiol.
Rodrigo will be the reassuring midfield anchor with skipper De Bruyne and Mateo Kovacic alongside him in the engine room.
Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva are set to be deployed further forward with Erling Haaland once again City’s striking focal point.
Special K
Arsenal could be forgiven for harbouring a sense of foreboding having seen the name of De Bruyne amongst City’s starters.
Because over the past few years, meetings with the Gunners have more often than not helped inspire the very best out of our brilliant midfield talisman.
The 32-year old has scored more goals against Arsenal in all competitions (eight) than against any other opponent whilst representing City.
What’s more he has also registered five assists when coming up against the North London side.
He has only been involved in more goals for City overall against Southampton (15 - five goals and 10 assists).
Hopefully, KDB can replicate the dazzling display he served up the last time we played host to Mikel Arteta’s side, when his brilliance helped inspired a memorable and crucial 4-1 league win over Arsenal last April.
On the March
Today’s game will also round off what has been a demanding and vital set of fixtures across the month of March.
Across the past 31 days City have had to navigate testing assignments against Manchester United and Liverpool (Premier League), FC Copenhagen (Champions League) and Newcastle (FA Cup).
Three wins and draw from those games to date represent a more than decent return for Pep’s side.
Another positive result this afternoon would really make it a month to remember!
Stats
● City have won 12 of our last 13 Premier League games against Arsenal, though the exception was a 1-0 loss at the Emirates in the reverse fixture this season.
● Arsenal have lost each of their last seven Premier League away games against City. They last had a longer losing run on the road in the league against Leeds, losing eight in a row between 1958 and 1968.
● Following their 1-0 win at the Emirates in October, Arsenal are looking to complete their first Premier League double over City since 2007-08. Meanwhile, they last did the league double over the reigning champions in 2001-02 vs Manchester United.
● City are unbeaten in our last 38 home games in all competitions (W33 D5) since a 2-1 loss against Brentford in November 2022. It’s our second longest run without defeat at home in the Club’s history, after a run of 42 between December 1919 and November 1921.
● Arsenal have won their last eight Premier League games, scoring 33 goals and conceding just four. The Gunners have had three runs of 9+ consecutive victories within a single season in the competition, with each one coming during their title winning campaigns – 10 in 1997-98, 13 in 2001-02 and nine in 2003-04.
● City have scored in each of our last 57 home games in all competitions, our longest such scoring streak in club history. The last Premier League side to score in more consecutive home games were Manchester United (a run of 61 between September 2010 and November 2012).
● Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has been involved in 314 attacking one-v-ones in the Premier League this season, more than any other player. Seven of these have led to a goal being scored within 10 seconds, the joint-most so far this term (Mohamed Salah also 7).
● Kai Havertz has scored in each of his last four Premier League appearances, the only German player to score in four in a row in the competition’s history. The last Arsenal player to score in five in a row in their debut season with the club was Thierry Henry (a run of seven in 1999-00).
● Arsenal pair Martin Ødegaard (19 chances created) and Bukayo Saka (15) have created 34 chances for each other in the Premier League this season, more than any other duo.
