Manchester City vs Arsenal (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Head to Head, How to Watch

Manchester City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon in a crunch top of the table Premier League clash.

Pep Guardiola’s side resume their Premier League and treble defence this weekend, returning to action following the March international break, where the Sky Blues suffered a number of concerning injuries.

Manchester City, who will play 10 matches before the end of April across three competitions, could be without both Kyle Walker and John Stones, after the pair suffered injuries at Wembley Stadium while representing England in two friendly fixtures.

Just one point currently separates Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, with the Sky Blues unbeaten since early December, and the Gunners having won every league match this calendar year.

City, who have had an impressive recent record against the north London club, have suffered two defeats to Mikel Arteta’s side already this season, losing in the FA Community Shield Final and the reverse Premier League fixture in October.

Guardiola’s side thumped Arsenal 4-1 en route to the Premier League title last season, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring twice and Erling Haaland netting in additional time.

Fixture Details

Manchester City face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 31st March, with kick-off scheduled for 16:30 BST.

Team News

Manchester City will be without defensive pair Kyle Walker and John Stones after the duo both suffered muscular injuries during international duty with England, with Walker forced off against Brazil and Stones during Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Belgium.

Manuel Akanji, Matheus Nunes and Erling Haaland are all in contention to start despite injury fears while on international duty, meanwhile Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Ederson have all trained ahead of Sunday’s clash.

Arsenal trio Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel could all feature at the Etihad Stadium according to Mikel Arteta, although the three players hadn’t trained for the Gunners on either Thursday or Friday.

Head To Head

Sunday’s meeting will be the 211th game between Manchester City and Arsenal, with the Sky Blues having won 65, drawn 46 and lost 99 of the previous fixtures between the two teams.

This weekend will be Guardiola’s 22nd game against the Gunners, with City having failed to win just five games against Arsenal across all competitions since the 53-year-olds arrival.

De Bruyne, who could start this weekend, has scored eight goals against Arsenal in the past.

Statistics

• Manchester City have won eight consecutive home matches against Arsenal in all competitions since a 2-2 Premier League draw in May 2016.
• Arsenal are seeking to complete a league double over City for the first time since the 2007/08 season.
• Manchester City are unbeaten in 38 matches at the Etihad in all competitions – winning 33 and drawing five.
• The Gunners have scored five or more goals in each of their past three Premier League away games.
• Arsenal have won all eight of their Premier League games in 2024, scoring 33 goals and conceding four.

How To Watch

Manchester City’s Premier League showdown clash with Arsenal will be available on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League for viewers in the United Kingdom. For fans living in any other country, you can find the complete TV listings here.

You can also follow the match on the City Xtra Youtube Channel via our live Watchalong show!