Manchester City vs Arsenal live updates: Premier League team news, predictions and latest
Last season's Premier League title rivals from last season, meet for the first time in 2024-25 at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City have won the last four titles under manager Pep Guardiola as his former assistant, Mikel Arteta, continues to push Arsenal to be the first team to finish above them since Liverpool in 2023.
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The controversy perhaps isn't to say that today's game may well involve the best player in the world — but more the statement of who that actually is.
Well, having not lost a game since February 2023 puts at the top of the list for me; especially considering in that time he has played for one of the strongest club sides in the world and won Euro 2024 with Spain.
It's not just his defensive qualities in midfield either. He scores goals too. And important goals at that.
Which brings us on nicely to Michael Cox and his fabulous breakdown of a player surely destined to win this year's Ballon d'Or in December. Surely...
One man making his first return to Manchester City as an Arsenal player, is Raheem Sterling.
The forward found a new level while at the Etihad Stadium — under Pep Guardiola and his then assistant, Mikel Arteta.
Now after an indifferent time at Chelsea, the summer saw Sterling switch to Arsenal and back under the coaching hands of Arteta.
And today, he gets another go at his former Manchester home.
This is a terrific piece from the excellent Jordan Campbell, looking into Arteta's time at Manchester City and how he helped steer Sterling towards success. Enjoy the read.
Once again, 's attacking threat is being led by England forward Bukayo Saka.
The 23-year-old leads the Premier League with four assists so far — level with Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. Both played yesterday and added to their tallies.
In fact, Saka has assisted in every Premier League game he has played so far this season; unlike Salah and Palmer.
Let's see if he can continue the run today at the Etihad.
Mikel Arteta ran Manchester City close last season and while they have started well in general, their two dropped points so far will already be a niggle.
A 2-0 win at home to came in about second gear, while the follow-up — a victory by the same scoreline at Aston Villa — was excellent.
Declan Rice decided to kick the ball away when already on a yellow card at home to , who found an equaliser and left the Emirates with a point.
And since then, it's all been about how they will cope without the injured Martin Odegaard. A stubborn, controlled 1-0 win at rivals was a promising start.
Those four wins have included NINE goals from Erling Haaland, who so far has looked like the only Premier League player who managed to get the summer off.
That record includes two hat-tricks, against Ipswich and West Ham respectively.
He is four goals clear of everyone else in the Premier League scoring charts, and that is only because Luis Diaz (5) managed to grab his two goals against Bournemouth yesterday.
The Norwegian is a goal-scoring machine. As we all already knew.
So what of those first four games for Manchester City? Well, it's not been straightforward — even if it has looked like it from a distance.
They began with an excellent 2-0 victory at and were also comfortable in the capital as they won 3-1 at West Ham.
Those three points were sandwiched by two wins at the Etihad where City conceded first: in the opening seven minutes to newly promoted Ipswich Town before beating them 4-1, and after just 22 seconds against . That one finished 2-1.
If you want to read some of the fabulous pieces we've shared with you in here and you're not yet a subscriber to The Athletic, then why not give it a look now?
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It is still very early days in the Premier League standings — in fact both Manchester City have played only four of their 38 fixtures.
Still, there is a recognisable feel to the table with 's early goal-difference taking them top overnight, while Aston Villa impress.
Nottingham Forest, who meet at the Amex Stadium today ahead of the action at the Etihad Stadium, are the only other clubs still unbeaten besides our opponents in the later kick-off.
The defending champions are the only side yet to drop a point.
The good news for is the return of Declan Rice, who missed the north London derby victory at Tottenham last weekend through suspension.
Rice was sent off in the home draw with Brighton for picking up two yellow cards.
However, Arsenal are still dealing with the loss of Martin Odegaard following his ankle injury sustained while playing for Norway during the international break.
New signing Mikel Merino (shoulder) is also sidelined along with the defensive reinforcements of Kieran Tierney (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf).
Kevin De Bruyne is the big fitness concern for Manchester City today.
The Belgium international picked up an injury in their goalless Champions League draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday.
De Bruyne, 33, was forced off at half-time after appearing to hurt himself during a first-half run where he was challenged by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Despite receiving treatment, De Bruyne continued until the break but did not return for the second half.
Definitely out are Nathan Ake (thigh) and Oscar Bobb (leg fracture).
Hello all and welcome to our live coverage of today's clash between Premier League title hopefuls Manchester City.
It was these two that sparred for the championship last season, with Man City coming out on top to secure their fourth successive crown.
So what about this time? Those at Arsenal are hoping their steady progress under Mikel Arteta will see this season end in their first title for more than 20 years.
It's all set up to be a crucial clash, so stick with us as we begin counting down to kick-off.
