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2024/25 English Premier League
Matchday 5
Manchester City v Arsenal
Etihad Stadium
Manchester, England
Sunday, 22 September 2024
Kick-off is at 17h30
Manchester City will face their sternest test yet of the new
Premier League season when title rivals Arsenal visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 22 in the late kick-off.
The Citizens are the only team still boasting a 100 per cent record after they came from an early goal down to beat Brentford 2-1 at home on September 14.
Pep Guardiola's side have now scored 11 goals from their opening four matches, five more than the Gunners, with nine of those coming from the boot of Erling Haaland.
The North Londoners trail City by two points in second place as they returned to winning ways with a 1-0 triumph over fierce local rivals Tottenham on September 15.
Brighton had ended their perfect start to the campaign after claiming a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on matchday 3. Meanwhile, Liverpool dropped their first points with a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield on September 14.
Newcastle climbed above the Reds (4th) up to third position courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Wolves at St James' Park on SDeptember 15 which maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
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In team news, Guardiola continues to be without Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake (thigh), while opposite number Mikel Arteta welcomes back Declan Rice from suspension, although Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Kieran Tierney (thigh), Mikel Merino (shoulder), Martin Odegaard (ankle), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Riccardo Calafiori (foot) remain sidelined. Bukayo Saka is rated doubtful after being forced off at Spurs.
Guardiola is hoping to have Phil Foden back after he missed the last three games through illness, having returned to training in the week leading up to the clash with the Bees.
"He didn't train too many sessions," the Spaniard said. "Step by step. I am delighted he is back. We need him desperately and it's important for us that he is back.
"He has trained this week. The game was tight, and I decided to use other options."
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Arteta not only made it a hat-trick of derby victories at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but his side have now won their last six league matches on the road.
"I think we have to get a lot of things right in this league to be able to do that," the Spaniard said.
"It's great, I love winning. I love winning especially when you make other people really proud and happy, so let's enjoy tonight and get ready for what's coming. That gives us a lot of energy, belief, a good platform to start and now recover."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man City wins - 3
Arsenal wins - 1
Draws - 1
Premier League Matchday 5 fixtures:
Saturday, September 21
13h30: West Ham United v Chelsea
16h00: Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers
16h00: Fulham v Newcastle United
16h00: Leicester City v Everton
16h00: Liverpool v Bournemouth
16h00: Southampton v Ipswich Town
16h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Brentford
18h30: Crystal Palace v Manchester United
Sunday, September 22
15h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Nottingham Forest
17h30:
Manchester City v Arsenal
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