Defending Premier League champions Manchester Metropolis are making ready for an enormous house sport in opposition to Arsenal within the title race on Sunday afternoon.
The 2 groups might hardly be in higher kind heading into this mouthwatering conflict on the Etihad Stadium. Manchester Metropolis haven’t misplaced a sport since December and will likely be assured of avenging their October defeat on the Emirates Stadium. The Treble winners entered the worldwide break by beating Newcastle United 2-0 within the FA Cup quarter-finals, thereby establishing a compelling semi-final conflict in opposition to Chelsea.
Joint league leaders Arsenal, in the meantime, are on an excellent eight-game successful run within the Premier League and head to Manchester off the again of a last-16 Champions League victory over FC Porto. The Gunners boast a one-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s aspect, rising to 4 in the event that they finish their nine-year Etihad curse on the weekend.
Manchester Metropolis vs Arsenal—Crew Information
Manchester Metropolis
Manchester Metropolis suffered a double harm blow throughout the latest worldwide break, shedding defenders Kyle Walker and John Stones for the fixture in opposition to Arsenal and a minimum of a few video games extra. Manuel Akanji, who was a doubt after lacking the Switzerland pleasant this week with a knock, is more likely to be obtainable for choice and Ederson must be again in purpose after recovering from a thigh drawback, whereas Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish are additionally anticipated to make the squad.
Pep Guardiola might line up in a 3-4-2-1 form, with Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake forming the backline. Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne ought to take up their spots in central midfield, hoping to take management of the sport from the primary blow of the whistle.
In entrance of Rodri and De Bruyne, the onus will likely be on Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez to take up promising positions within the remaining third and carve open a well-drilled Arsenal defence with Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku bringing tempo and aptitude from the extensive areas. There isn’t a trying previous Erling Haaland in terms of main the Man Metropolis assault, and the Norwegian will likely be determined to show himself in an enormous sport.
Arsenal
Brazil centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes and England winger Bukayo Saka each withdrew from their respective nations’ camps earlier than taking part in a sport throughout the worldwide break, though Mikel Arteta is hopeful that the duo together with Gabriel Martinelli, who has missed the previous couple of video games with a foot drawback, will all have the ability to shake off their niggles in time to face the Sky Blues.
David Raya will begin in purpose, with a again 4 of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko in entrance of him. Gabriel is anticipated to be match for Sunday’s sport, which is a large enhance for Arsenal given his wonderful kind all through the season. Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu are preventing for the left-back spot, with the previous in rivalry to begin after totally recovering from his harm.
As has been the case this season, Jorginho has featured in large video games and delivered robust performances in the course of the park for the Gunners. The Italy worldwide is primed to begin once more alongside skipper Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, because the guests look to cease Metropolis dominate the proceedings in midfield.
Match-again Gabriel Martinelli ought to stroll again into the beginning XI and take the spot on the left flank, regardless of Leandro Trossard delivering some eye-catching shows. Bukayo Saka is a daily fixture on the best, with Kai Havertz reprising the false 9 function.
Manchester Metropolis vs Arsenal—Predicted Lineups
Predicted Manchester Metropolis Lineup (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Dias, Akanji, Ake; Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, B. Silva, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland
Predicted Arsenal Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Manchester Metropolis vs Arsenal—Key Gamers
Manchester Metropolis—Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne’s availability is an enormous enhance for Metropolis. The Belgian maestro has been Arsenal’s frequent tormentor with eight objectives and 5 assists in 20 appearances in opposition to them, and he will likely be raring to mix nicely with Erling Haaland and hang-out Mikel Arteta’s aspect once more.
Arsenal—Martin Odegaard
It’s easy when Martin Odegaard performs nicely, Arsenal typically do nicely. The Norwegian helps the Gunners tick over along with his passing, imaginative and prescient, urgent and management abilities. The guests will want their skipper to step up and produce a robust show in the course of the park in opposition to a high Metropolis aspect. If Odegaard can win his battle in opposition to Rodri and serve the likes of Saka, Havertz and Martinelli nicely, Arsenal’s possibilities of getting a end result on the Etihad Stadium will enhance.
Prediction: Manchester Metropolis 2-2 Arsenal
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