Manchester City vs Arsenal Preview | Predictions, Stats and Key Players

Manchester City will be the home side for this tie, which is a boost to their chances. Arsenal have been excellent at the Emirates Stadium and they will be easier to beat away from their home ground. City have been inconsistent in recent weeks. Pep Guardiola will know the importance of this fixture. If his team can get the upper hand over Arsenal, it could have an impact in the title race. A win will also help increase the confidence in the City squad. The FA Cup won’t be a priority, but this match will be targeted for a victory.

This is a chance for Arsenal to show that they are the best team in the country and record a competitive victory over the current Premier League champions. On current form, they will be slight favourites to win, even away from the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta knows Guardiola better than anyone and he will be relishing the chance to get one over on his former mentor. The Premier League will remain their main focus, but the FA Cup offers another chance of lifting silverware. The Spaniard should play a strong team this weekend.

Manchester City have won 12 of the last 13 matches against Arsenal across all competitions.

Arsenal’s last win over City came in this competition in 2020. They went on to lift the FA Cup.

The Norwegian international has been a revelation in England. He already has 31 goals across all competitions. Although Guardiola will have a preference to rest him in this competition, it is likely that City go full strength for this game. This is due to Arsenal’s position above them in the league table. A win is important in giving City belief that they can overtake their rivals in the league. There has been some criticism of Haaland recently, with some suggesting that he has made City worse, despite his goals. That seems unfair and he reminded the world of his quality with a hat trick against Wolves. It showed his clinical edge in front of goal. He will be desperate to play a major role this weekend and help his team though to the next round.

It has been another excellent season for Bukayo Saka. At the weekend, he was the star against Manchester United. His goal was an incredible strike from range and underlined the confidence flowing through his game at the moment. Saka caused constant problems for his international team mate Luke Shaw and will feel like he could have scored more on another day. This season, he has contributed eight goals and seven assists across all competitions. He offers a dual threat in the final third. Manchester City have been vulnerable at the back in recent weeks. Saka will feel confident that he can have a big impact on the result on Friday night.

Phil Foden is a doubt for the weekend with a foot injury. It is hoped that he will be passed fit to start. Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva will both be pushing for recalls.

There are no new injury concerns for Arsenal. Gabriel Jesus remains a few weeks away from a return to action. Mohamed Elneny and Reiss Nelson remain on the sidelines.

This is a very difficult match to call and it will tell us a lot about both teams. Arsenal have passed every challenge that has come their way and they are now seen as the best team in the country. To back that up, they need to beat Manchester City. Guardiola will know the importance of this game. A win will breathe belief through the club. I think the home side will have enough quality and big game experience to win. It should be an excellent game.

Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal