Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez to start – Predicted XI: Manchester City vs Arsenal (Premier League)

It’s a game that needs no introduction as Manchester City host league leaders Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

Following their impressive FA Cup semi-final triumph over Sheffield United, Manchester City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium in what promises to be a blockbuster tie between first and second place.

City will certainly be riding out this high in terms of form, as it was the promotion-chasing Sheffield United who were the latest side to feel the wrath.

An early chance which was smartly saved by Stefan Ortega gave the Blades some hope, which would ultimately be short lived.

The usual possession-based domination occurred from City, as they worked the Championship side hard despite not creating an opening. That was until Bernardo Silva was brought down at in the penalty area, shortly before the half-time break.

Riyad Mahrez took the responsibility, which paid dividends as the Blues took the lead on the 42nd minute.

With Sheffield United forced to take the game to City, the chances came thick and fast in the second half, as the Sky Blues would go on to double their lead.

Mahrez picked the ball up on the halfway line, driving through the Sheffield United defence leaving players in his wake, before cooly slotting the ball past Wes Foderingham to double City’s advantage.

It wouldn’t take long before City would grab a third, as the in-form Jack Grealish played a low cross directly into the feet of the Algerian, who neatly finished his chance and became the first person to score a hat-trick in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

The attention turns now to the Premier League, as league leaders Arsenal travel to the Etihad Stadium for what has the makings of an all-time Premier League classic.

Despite their position in the table, Arsenal have had a somewhat turbulent few weeks, with three consecutive draws in the league.

In spite of recent form, the brilliance of Arsenal cannot be understated, as Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners into a formidable side this season.

Both sides are defensively deprived through injury, as Manchester City will be without the versatile Nathan Ake, while Arteta has ruled William Saliba out thanks to a recurring back injury.

Despite the injuries, there is an enormous amount of quality at the disposal of both managers, and with that being said, here is the starting XI we predict Pep Guardiola to field in this enormously important fixture!

Predicted XI

Ederson will return in goal after Stefan Ortega was given a start in the FA Cup on Saturday.

John Stones has displayed a brilliant balance between his defensive duties and midfield responsibilities, as the Englishman has been a fantastically versatile asset for Pep Guardiola. We predict Stones to start on the right-hand side of the back four.

Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias are becoming quite the pair, as they continue to show excellent chemistry and bolster the strength of this seemingly bulletproof Manchester City defence. We expect the pair to start again together at the centre of defence.

The injury to Nathan Ake is certainly a blow to Guardiola and Manchester City, but having a backup like Aymeric Laporte is certainly fortunate. We expect the Spaniard to complete the back four and start on the left.

Rodrigo will start in defensive midfield for City, with the Spaniard given a rare rest on Saturday.

Kevin De Bruyne is a man for the big occasions, with the Belgian demonstrating this in the reverse fixture at the Emirates, contributing with a goal and an assist in the 3-1 Manchester City victory. We predict De Bruyne to start in midfield alongside club captain Ilkay Gundogan.

Fresh from Saturday’s emphatic performance, we predict that Riyad Mahrez will be handed a start on the right of the front three.

Erling Haaland will inevitably start as striker for City, with the Norwegian looking to break the Premier League record for most goals in a season – as he is currently tied with Mohammed Salah at 32.

A return for Phil Foden at the weekend was a huge boost for Manchester City. However, we predict Pep Guardiola to opt for Jack Grealish out wide, with the Englishman having also left his mark at the Emirates Stadium in February, cropping up with a vital goal.

Jack Grealish vs Arsenal:

1 Goal
53 Touches
32 Accurate Passes
86.5% Pass Accuracy
1 Key Pass
4 Interceptions
3 Clearances
2 Ground Duels Won
2 Accurate Long Balls
1 Tackle
1 Blocked Shot
1 Successful Dribble
1 Big Chance Created pic.twitter.com/N5W9f6dS8f

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) February 15, 2023

Predicted XI: Ederson; Stones, Akanji, Dias, Laporte; Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.

Substitutes: Ortega, Walker, Lewis, Gomez, Phillips, Palmer, Bernardo, Alvarez, Foden.