Arsenal vs Man City Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man + Predicted Score

Premier League action returns this weekend after the international break as Arsenal take on Manchester City at the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime. 

We head into the game looking to get back to winning ways having drawn our last two league games before the two-week break. Two late goals saw us leave Goodison Park with a point last month but we followed that up with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Leicester so it’s important we get three points on the table this weekend.

Facing the defending champions is going to be a big test for us and it’s vital for our confidence that we don’t suffer a defeat. We are yet to taste defeat at home since losing to Aston Villa on the opening day of last season, so hopefully we can at least continue that run against City.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men kicked off the new campaign in style with impressive victories over Newcastle and Liverpool. However, the wheels fell off at home to Stoke last time out as the Potters left the Etihad with a shock win so no doubt they’ll be desperate to make amends this weekend.

They may also be out for revenge after we thrashed them 3-0 in the Community Shield at Wembley last month, but I have confidence we’ll be able to hold our own on home soil.

Team News

Aaron Ramsey is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury in midweek while playing for Wales. The midfielder faces a late fitness test but Jack Wilshere is on stand-by if he fails to make it.

Mikel Arteta will come straight back in after recovering from an ankle injury that’s kept him out in recent weeks while Kieran Gibbs is also set to start in place of Nacho Monreal after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Goalkeeper David Ospina is in the squad for the first time since joining the club in the summer but he’ll have to make-do with a place on the bench, while Mesut Ozil is fit to play despite pulling out of the Germany squad with an ankle knock.

With Olivier Giroud out until the New Year, Danny Welbeck is expected to start up front but Theo Walcott isn’t ready to return yet as he continues to work his way back to full fitness following a knee injury.

As for City, they will be without striker Stevan Jovetic after he was ruled out with a hamstring injury, so he joins Fernando on the sidelines with the midfielder out with a groin injury.

Pablo Zabaleta and Vincent Kopmany are fit to start and Eliaquim Mangala is in the squad for the first time since making the move this summer.

Frank Lampard is also available after working on his fitness in recent weeks but he’ll most likely be among the subs.

Predicted Line-Ups

Key Man

Danny Welbeck: All eyes will be on Welbeck tomorrow as the striker gets set to make his debut following his deadline day move from Manchester United. The 23-year-old was in fine form for England on Monday night, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win, so no doubt he’ll be keen to continue that form for his new club.

Predicted Score

Arsenal 1-1 Man City: We’re going to have to play a lot better than we have been lately to get anything from the game but with players returning from injury and a new striker in the team, I think we’ll be able to come away with a respectable draw.

What team would you like to see start and whats your predicted score for the game?