Can Arteta’s Arsenal humble Pep’s City?
The weekend is set for a blockbuster clash between the title favourites: Arsenal and Manchester City. Arsenal is on a 2-match winning streak, and the team looks much fluid and agile after facing an unlucky loss against Liverpool.
Manchester City struggled in the opening matches of the season, but gained momentum after thrashing Manchester United by 3-0. Haaland’s finishing has been very sharp and decisive lately.
A win at Emirates is very important for Arteta and Arsenal to compete with Liverpool toe toe-to-toe. Manchester City is also desperately in need of a winning streak in the Premier League, which will keep them in title-challenging form.
Match Details:
- Fixture: Arsenal vs Manchester City
- Date: 21.09.2025
- Kick Off: 21:00 IST
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
- Referee: Stuart Attwell
| Key Stats | Arsenal | Man City |
| Head-to-head | 101 wins | 65 wins |
| Draws | 47 | 47 |
| Last 5 Matches | W, D, D, W, L | L, D, D, L, W |
| Aggregate(5) | 9 goals | 7 goals |
| Top Scorer(5) | Saka-2 | Haaland – 1 |
| Other Scorers | Odegaard-1, Trossard-1 | KDB – 1, Alvarez-1 |
| Notable Streak | Unbeaten last 4 (2023-2025) | 12 PL wins in a row(2017-2023) |
Key Players to Watch out For:
- Erling Haaland(Man City)- 5 goals in 4 matches, very good form, clinical striker, and Haaland always scores against quick teams on the counter, like Arsenal this season
- Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) – positioning and decision-making are flawless. His offensive output while keeping the defense line intact will be crucial in dealing with City’s attacking threats.
- Martin Zubimendi(Arsenal) – He has been a key figure in Arsenal’s midfield, carrying the ball in both defense and attack transitions. He can break the opposition attack and control the tempo of the game, which will dictate the final result.
- Jérémy Doku(Manchester City)- He has been a dynamic presence on the wing for City. He is consistent in providing assists and creating goal-scoring chances. Doku’s ability to deliver dangerous crosses and cut inside to Arsenal’s defensive setup will create major issues for them.
Tactical Battle:
In the recent couple of fixtures, Arsenal and Manchester City have tussled in a tactically contrasting style of systems.
Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, has refined a highly pressing 4-3-3 formation. Zubimendi is instructed to be the pivot of the team and control the tempo of the match. He dictates when the attacking and defensive transitions occur.
In their 5-1 victory over City in February 2025, Arsenal’s relentless pressing forced City into multiple errors. This led to quick turnovers and transition chances, where, like Martin Odegaard and Saka, they capitalised on these moments. Arteta managed to thrash City because of their clinicality.
Under the Spanish tactical mastermind, City this season has employed a possession-based 4-1-4-1 system. Focusing on controlling the midfield by an extra man and patiently breaking down opposition defenses. In the same match, City’s attempt to build from the back failed heavily due to Arteta’s high-pressing system.
In the upcoming fixture, it will be interesting to see whether Arsenal manages to make Manchester City make mistakes.
Arsenal poses a huge threat in set pieces, and City will seek to maintain their defense intact and regain control of the midfield. The team that manages to control the midfield and be clinical takes home 3 points.
Predicted Lineups:
Arsenal
- Gyokeres
- Eze
- Madueke
- Rice
- Nwaneri
- Zubimendi
- Calafiori
- Gabriel
- Mosquera
- Timber
- Raya
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Manchester City
- Haaland
- Doku
- Foden
- Reijnders
- Silva
- Rodri
- Ake
- Gvardiol
- Dias
- Khusanov
- Donnarumma
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Key Injuries:
Arsenal
| Player | Injury | Possible Return Date |
| Bukayo Saka | Hamstring | Late September |
| Kai Havertz | Knee | Unknown |
| Martin Odegaard | Shoulder | This Weekend |
| Gabriel Jesus | Knee | Unkown |
| Ben White | Unspecified | Unknown |
Manchester City
| Player | Injury | Possible Return Date |
| Stones | Knock | Late September |
| Kovacic | Achilles Tendon Injury | Early October |
| Ait Nouri | Ankle Injury | Late October |
| Marmoush | Knee Injury | Late October |
| Cherki | Muscle Injury | Early November |
