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Can Man City Shake Up the Title Race at the Emirates?
Manchester City will travel to North London this Sunday to face Arsenal in a crucial Premier League showdown. While the Cityzens are no longer the frontrunners for the title, they could still have a major say in the race. Pep Guardiola’s men have shown signs of recovery in 2025, but they remain vulnerable, and a tough test awaits them at the Emirates.
Arsenal, still chasing league glory, must secure three points to keep up with Liverpool, who face Bournemouth this weekend. But can City disrupt their momentum?
Let’s dive into how Guardiola could line up his side against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Man City Predicted XI vs Arsenal (4-1-4-1 Formation)
🧤 Goalkeeper
GK: Ederson – While Stefan Ortega enjoyed a brief stint as City’s No. 1, Ederson has reclaimed his starting role and will likely guard the net at the Emirates.
🛡️ Defensive Line
RB: Matheus Nunes – Guardiola seems to favor Nunes’ attacking contributions, but his defensive weaknesses could be a concern against Arsenal’s dynamic wingers.
CB: John Stones – A huge boost for City’s defense, Stones played the full 90 minutes midweek and should start again.
CB: Manuel Akanji – With Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake sidelined, Akanji remains a consistent presence in City’s ever-changing backline.
LB: Josko Gvardiol – After an inconsistent start to the season, Gvardiol has found his rhythm and is proving to be a key attacking threat from the left.
⚙️ Midfield
DM: Mateo Kovacic – The Croatian will anchor the midfield, hoping to avoid the disciplinary scares that plagued his performance in this fixture last season.
RM: Bernardo Silva – A key leader in Rodri’s absence, Silva will play a crucial role in linking play and supporting the attack.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – Carefully managed minutes have kept De Bruyne fit, and his love for playing at the Emirates could spell trouble for Arsenal.
CM: Phil Foden – Foden’s ability to drift into central areas could be vital. His intelligence in between the lines will test Arsenal’s defense.
LM: Omar Marmoush – After an exciting debut against Chelsea, Marmoush could get the nod over Savinho to add energy and unpredictability to City’s attack.
🎯 Forward
ST: Erling Haaland – Haaland scored in the reverse fixture, but he has yet to truly dominate at the Emirates. Can he break through against Arsenal’s rock-solid defensive duo of William Saliba and Gabriel?
🔥 Key Matchup to Watch: Haaland vs Saliba & Gabriel
Erling Haaland faces a tough challenge against Arsenal’s defensive duo. Will he finally find success at the Emirates, or will Saliba and Gabriel keep him quiet once again?
💬 What’s Your Prediction?
Can Man City pull off a result and shake up the title race, or will Arsenal secure a crucial win? Drop your score predictions in the comments!