Arsenal will host Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday, February 2 in what will be crucial match for both teams. The Gunners are in second place with 47 points from 23 matches, while City are in fourth place, just six points adrift.
The hosts will enter this game having gone unbeaten in their last five games across competitions, securing four wins and one draw in that time. They are also unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League matches, and have not tasted defeat since losing to Newcastle United in November 2024. Injuries have halted Arsenal’s momentum considerably in recent times but they have shown great resilience to get past the tough phase. The Gunners defeated Girona 2-1 in their last match and will take that confidence ahead with them.
City, on the other hand, seemed to have snapped out of their dark place from the end of the last calendar year. They have lost just once in their last eight matches now, securing six wins and one draw in the other seven games. Players are coming back to form, three new signings have been made, and Pep Guardiola and his men are gearing up for yet another run-in. Going on a winning run will be crucial to get back into the title race. Last time’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge is bound to add to their confidence for the same.
On that note, let’s take a look at the team news & predicted lineups.
Arsenal Team News & Predicted XI
The major talking point from the Arsenal camp is the rescinded red card for Myles Lewis-Skelly. He was shown a straight red against Wolves, which was revoked merely hours after appeal in the days that followed. The FA also cancelled his three-match suspension, meaning he will be available.
Apart from that, manager Mikel Arteta will be without four players. Benjamin White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Gabriel Jesus (cruciate ligament) will miss out as they continue to recover from their injuries.
Predicted XI: Raya (GK); Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard (C), Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard.
Manchester City Team News & Predicted XI
As for Manchester City, Guardiola fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last match as they secured a 3-1 win at home. There were no new injuries or suspensions from that match, but the team will be without several players for their trip to London.
Jeremy Doku (discomfort), Nathan Ake (muscle), Oscar Bobb (broken leg), Rodri (cruciate ligament) and Ruben Dias (groin) will miss out as they continue to recover from their respective injuries.
Predicted XI: Ederson (GK); Nunes, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne (C); Silva, Foden, Haaland.
Head-to-Head Record
These two teams have faced each other with great regularity in the recent past, with Arsenal only just beginning to have their say in this fixture. They have won two of the last five meetings, Manchester City have won one, and there have been two draws as well.
| Date | Match | Competition |
| 22/09/24 | Man City 2-2 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 31/03/24 | Man City 0-0 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 08/10/23 | Arsenal 1-0 Man City | Premier League |
| 06/08/23 | Man City 1-1 Arsenal (1-4 pens) | Community Shield |
| 27/04/23 | Man City 4-1 Arsenal | Premier League |
Arsenal vs Manchester City Prediction
Both teams will enter this contest on the back of unbeaten runs, and both teams are known to play a slightly similar style. However, the last two meetings have ended in draws, and this one is destined to become the third draw on the bounce.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City.
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