By the time the team welcomes Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium on September 21, it will be a high-stakes game. It is not just another league game, but a clash of interests, tactics, and egos between two teams that are building the title story of the Premier League.
Arsenal is ranked in position two in the league with nine points after four games, indicating that the club is performing well early in the season despite the injury of some of its major players. Manchester City, who are in eighth position with six points, got back on track last week with an important Manchester derby victory, and everyone remembered once again why they are always title contenders. The two clubs also began their Champions League campaigns with wins, and confidence will therefore be rife as both clubs in this heavyweight battle are set to take place.
Arsenal’s Injury Challenges
Manager Mikel Arteta has to make tough choices with injuries piling up within the attack and midfield:
- In: Gabriel Jesus (knee), Kai Havertz (knee), Bukayo Saka (hamstring)
- Questionable: Captain Martin Ødegaard (shoulder), Ben White (undisclosed).
This is one of the improvements in the defense, with William Saliba returning to the team after being selected in Bilbao. Arteta will turn to Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi to stabilize the middle, and the marks of creativity might be transferred to Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke on the frontline.
Projected Arsenal lineup (4-3-3): Raya — Timber, Gabriel, Mosquera, Calafiori Merino, Zubimendi, Rice — Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze
Fitness Puzzle in Manchester City.
On the other end of the touchline, Pep Guardiola must pass his own injury test. Rodri is the centre of attention. The Spaniard is undergoing a recovery period following ACL surgery and is still a late decision in terms of fitness. In his absence, the control of the midfield might be lost in City.
- Out: Mateo Kovacic (Achilles), Rayan Cherki (thigh), Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle), Omar Marmoush (knee).
- Uncertain: Rodri (pain in the knee)
Despite missing players, Guardiola is still able to demand the services of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Jeremy Doku to destabilize the Arsenal backline.
Expected City XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Aké, Gvardiol, Rodri, Nico Savinho, Foden, Doku — Haaland.
Match Details
- Ortiz: Manchester City vs Arsenal.
- Competition: English Premier League.
- Date And Time: Sunday, September 21st, 2025 11: 00 p.m. IST.
- Referee: Stuart Attwell
- VAR: Jarred Gillett
My Take
This is not a three-point contest; it is a statement game. In the case of Arsenal, it would solidify their growing status as true title challengers, especially when they do it without Saka, Jesus, and Ødegaard. Their current five-match undefeated streak with City, which includes two consecutive victories at the Emirates, puts a critical psychological advantage in their favor.
In the case of City, it all depends on the availability of Rodri. He is the engine of the Guardiola machine; in his absence, the midfield may seem vulnerable. The loss of Kovacic would also mean that City lacks control over the game, and they would have to depend on personal performance by Haaland and Foden.
They should anticipate that Arsenal remains tight, takes the ball on, and has a purposeful strike on the counter with the speed of wide players such as Madueke and Eze. City, in the meantime, will be demanding dominance by holding openings.
A lack of full fitness of Rodri might put the wind in the sails of Arsenal and their home advantage and precondition another great night in North London.
