An early February showdown between Arsenal and Manchester City looked set to be a pivotal moment in the Premier League title race, once upon a time.
The top two from the past two seasons played out a tempestuous 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium in September, seemingly setting the scene for another fight to the finish.
However, City’s form collapsed over winter and their renewed aim for the season is a top-four finish rather than hauling in runaway leaders Liverpool.
Having said that, Pep Guardiola’s side would be just three points behind Arsenal if they are triumphant in north London.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news for Sunday’s big Premier League showdown.
MORE: Pep Guardiola reveals what he said to Ortega and Gvardiol in angry tirade after Brentford draw
Arsenal vs. Man City lineups, starting 11, team news
Mikel Arteta will make a late call on David Raya as his first-choice goalkeeper seeks to overcome a muscular injury. On-loan No.2 keeper Neto made his Gunners debut at Girona in midweek.
Miles Lewis-Skelly is available after the three-game suspension for this controversial red card against Wolves was overturned.
Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu (all knee) remain on the sidelines.
Arsenal lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) —Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori —Odegaard, Partey, Rice — Nwaneri, Havertz, Martinelli.
Injured: Raya (doubt), Saka, Jesus, White, Tomiyasu
Suspended: None
Omar Marmoush is likely to come back into the City starting lineup following his impressive debut against Chelsea last weekend. The Egypt forward was ineligible against Club Brugge in midweek.
John Stones completed 90 minutes for the first time since October on Wednesday night. If the England defender is not ready to go again there could be another chance at centre-back for Abdukodir Khusanov because Ruben Dias (abductor) and Nathan Ake (muscular) still out
Rodri‘s cruciate knee ligament injury in the reverse fixture dealt a blow from which City’s season is unlikely to recover but fellow long-term absentee Oscar Bobb (broken leg) is closing in on a return.
Man City lineup (4-3-2-1, right to left): Ederson (GK) —Nunes, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol — Silva, Kovacic, De Bruyne— Foden, Marmoush — Haaland.
Injured: Rodri, Ake, Dias, Bobb
Suspended: None
MORE: How Man City fans and players helped Khusanov through nightmare debut
Arsenal vs. Man City live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch the big game from Premier League across various countries.
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Canada | FuboSports Network Canada |
Fubo Canada |
| India | Star Sports Select 1 | Disney+, Hotstar, JioTV |
| UK | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League | SkyGo, Sky Sports website |
| USA | — | Peacock |
