Last updated on September 21, 2025
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Can Arsenal’s defense stop Erling Haaland?
Image credit: MØ8
The Premier League is serving up a mouthwatering clash this Sunday as Arsenal host Manchester City at the Emirates.
This is a fixture that has grown into one of English football’s defining rivalries of recent seasons.
With both teams fresh from European victories and strong league form, the stage is set for a pulsating showdown.
Recent Premier League Form
The Gunners go into the weekend buoyed by a 3–0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates.
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Arteta’s side combined defensive control with ruthless finishing, a result that extended their unbeaten run at home and kept them firmly in the early title conversation.
City flexed their muscles in the Manchester derby, sweeping aside United with a commanding 3–0 win at the Etihad.
Guardiola’s men looked sharp, dominant in midfield, and clinical in the final third — exactly the kind of form that made them so hard to stop in the past seasons.
Both sides arrive in top domestic form, ensuring Sunday’s contest carries genuine weight in the title race.
Champions League Carry-Over
The midweek European nights added extra confidence to both camps:
Arsenal pulled off a 2–0 win away at Athletic Club (Bilbao).
The victory wasn’t just about the scoreline — it showed Arsenal’s growing maturity on the continental stage.
Martinelli and Trossard, introduced as substitutes, combined to finish the job, underlining Arsenal’s strength in depth.
Manchester City dispatched Napoli 2–0 at the Etihad.
The night belonged to Erling Haaland, who made history by reaching 50 Champions League goals in just 49 appearances, the fastest player ever to do so.
That kind of record sums up the aura City bring to every game.
These results set the perfect backdrop: Arsenal looking like contenders in Europe again, and City reminding everyone they are still the gold standard.
Team News
Arsenal:
- Bukayo Saka (hamstring) — major doubt.
- Martin Ødegaard (shoulder) — racing against time to be fit.
- Kai Havertz (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (ACL rehab) — out.
- Ben White — sidelined with a knock.
Arteta’s biggest worry will be whether Saka and Ødegaard — his two key creative sparks — can feature.
Their absence would put added responsibility on Martinelli, Rice, and Saka’s stand-in, Noni Madueke.
Manchester City:
- Rodri — doubtful after coming off in midweek with discomfort.
- John Stones and Rayan Aït-Nouri — minor fitness concerns but could return.
Guardiola will be sweating on Rodri’s availability.
Without him, City’s midfield balance shifts significantly, and Arsenal will sense an opportunity.
Tactical Battle
This match is about fine margins and bold ideas:
Arsenal will press with intensity, especially if City are missing Rodri.
Declan Rice’s ball-winning and Martinelli’s pace on the counter could be decisive weapons.
City will look to dominate possession, suffocate Arsenal’s build-up, and wait for Haaland’s moment.
Phil Foden’s movement between the lines is also a threat Arsenal’s defence must be alert to.
Substitutions could play a huge role — Arsenal’s win in Bilbao showed the power of fresh legs, while Guardiola is a master of late-game adjustments.
Key Players to Watch
- Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal): With Saka unavailable, Zubimendi takes a pivotal role in controlling midfield, linking play, and breaking up City’s rhythm.
- Declan Rice (Arsenal): The heartbeat of Arsenal’s midfield, crucial in breaking City’s rhythm.
- Erling Haaland (Man City): Fresh off his Champions League milestone, Haaland is a constant threat. One chance is often enough.
- Phil Foden (Man City): Now central to City’s creativity, he can tilt the game with a single pass or strike.
What’s at Stake
This is more than just three points.
For Arsenal, it’s about proving they can finally beat City in a match that truly matters, showing they belong in the same bracket as the defending champions.
For City, it’s about flexing their authority — sending a message that even with challengers circling, they remain the standard everyone else must chase.
Prediction
This fixture rarely disappoints.
Arsenal’s hunger and home support will push them hard, but injuries to key players may tilt the balance.
