As Manchester City prepare to host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, we have tried to wrack our brains and call their predicted lineup for the clash.
After City’s convincing 2-0 win against Newcastle United in the FA Cup, in our view, Pep Guardiola will make four changes to his side for the contest on Sunday.
Guardiola did deliver key injury updates during his latest press conference ahead of his side’s upcoming encounter against the Gunners.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Arsenal
For starters, the Spaniard confirmed that both John Stones and Kyle Walker have been ruled out of the contest due to their respective injuries while adding that Ederson is “much better” [via BeanymanSports] after sustaining an injury against Liverpool at Anfield.
However, Pep Guardiola also stated that Manuel Akanji is fit and in contention for the game.
As a result, it is natural that the former Bayern Munich boss will have to make changes to his team.
With Pep Guardiola claiming that Ederson’s fitness has improved, perhaps he might decide to start him against Arsenal and bench Stefan Ortega in the process, according to our predicted Manchester City lineup.
The Brazilian has had plenty of time to rest during the international break and he might well be fully recovered, and his presence in net against a team of the North London side’s calibre will be key, especially when the ball is at his feet.
With Kyle Walker being injured, Manuel Akanji could take his place at right-back against the Gunners, having also played left-back in last season’s 4-1 win against them.
Considering John Stones did not start in City’s previous outing against Newcastle, Ruben Dias looks dead set to retain his place in the side.
The same can be said for Manchester City defender Nathan Ake, who is likely to start against Arsenal, as per our predicted lineup.
With Josko Gvardiol also impressing at left-back in the FA Cup, he may have guaranteed his place in the XI to face Mikel Arteta’s side.
At the base of midfield, Rodri genuinely seems guaranteed to start from the off, as he did against Newcastle, especially after scoring a brace from the spot against Brazil.
While Mateo Kovacic was also excellent against the Magpies, in our view, Pep Guardiola will find it difficult to leave out a seasoned campaigner in his side such as Bernardo Silva, who was one of his side’s better performers at the Emirates Stadium this season.
However, Bernardo did start against Newcastle, which means Kevin De Bruyne, who was unavailable due to suffering a knock could take Kovacic’s place in the side.
The £54.5 million man’s genius will be relied upon by the hosts massively if they aim to get the all-important three points.
Phil Foden, who started as the number 10 against Newcastle could be shifted to the right flank, with Bernardo Silva moving into midfield.
Against Eddie Howe’s side, Erling Haaland may have been frustrated to not have been fed with chances to score but keeping that aside, he seems set to keep his place in the side that features against Arsenal, as per our predicted Manchester City lineup.
The last and final change in the team that featured against Newcastle may emerge on the left wing.
Pep Guardiola revealed that Jack Grealish “trained really well” and he stated that a decision over whether he will start will be taken on Saturday [via HaytersTV].
But considering Grealish’s experience in big games such as the one against Arsenal, he might end up replacing Doku, in our view.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Arsenal: Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland, Grealish
