Predictions, stats, and team news ahead of Man City vs Arsenal Premier League match on Saturday at 12.30pm.
News from the team
Manchester City will be without Kevin De Bruyne, their playmaker for the Premier League visit to Arsenal.
The ankle injury that he sustained during Euro 2020 is still a concern for the Belgian international. He will not play for his country for the next fortnight.
City's other injured player is Phil Foden (foot), but he is expected back after the international break.
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is fit and available following his recovery from the injury sustained in the second round of the 6-0 Carabao Cup at West Brom.
Ben White was unable to attend the Hawthorns win and defeat to Chelsea after he tested positive for Covid. However, he could have been involved.
Gabriel Magalhaes, a fellow centre-back, is back in training after sustaining a knee injury. Hector Bellerin (thigh), however, is not back. Thomas Partey (both ankle) and Eddie Nketiah remain out.
What to do?
Watch Man City vs Arsenal live on our dedicated match blog. Kick-off is at 12.30 on Saturday. Highlights will also appear on Sky Sports' digital platforms, and Sky Sports Football YouTube channel at 5:15pm.
Use Chrome browser to access a better video player. We look ahead at Matchweek 3 of the Premier League, as Liverpool host Chelsea, Arsenal visit Manchester City, and Wolves face Manchester United
Last time out...
Use Chrome browser to access a better video player. FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of Chelsea's win over Arsenal
Use Chrome browser to access a better video player. Highlights of Manchester City's win over Norwich
Prediction: Jones Knows Writes...
Manchester City comes calling just when you thought Arsenal were done.
The expectation level is at least as high as it can be. Sky Bet has them at 12/1 to win the Premier League with maximum points. This must be the highest price that an Arsenal team has ever paid to win a Premier League match.
Manchester City has won every one of their eight Premier League matches, conceding only two goals and scoring 19. Arsenal has never lost eight league games in succession to any opponent, but Sky Bet is only 2/9 for this to happen on Saturday lunchtime. The Gunners may find 12/1 for a team with such high-quality players as Emile Smith Rowe or Bukayo Saka a bit insulting, but they face a City team who enjoy keeping clean sheets and protecting properly. This is an important part of their game. The smartest play is a City win that scores low.
However, my punting pulse has been drawn towards the cards market where I rate the Sky Bet 2/1 on the odds of City being shown more cards then Arsenal.
It is easy to see the match scenario and pattern. Arsenal will attempt to absorb pressure by playing deep and allowing for quick transitions. This is similar to the way Tottenham played on Saturday vs City. Smith Rowe and Saka and Nicolas Pepe, as well as Pierre-Emerick and Pierre-Emerick, are quick customers to deal with during the break. City are also well-versed in this area and encouraged to stop those attacks by posing cynical challenges.
Arsenal's poor record in red card management is a testament to their good behavior. They ranked 17th for total bookings and teams that defend deep are rarely guilty of yellow-card-worthy offenses.
This bet would have won in four out of five City home games. It would have been a win that City would have taken home during the fixture last season, when Arsenal had one card and City four. Sky Bet's 2/1 looks incredible.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1
BETTING ANGLE - Manchester City will have more booking points (2/1 Sky Bet)
Opta stats
Manchester City have not lost any of their 11 league matches against Arsenal (W9D2) since December 2015, when they were beaten 2-1 at Emirates. Pep Guardiola's guidance, they have won 28 out of 30 against the Gunners (W9 D1).
Arsenal has lost all eight Premier League meetings against Manchester City. This is their longest consecutive losing streak against an opponent in league history (8 vs Leeds, 1973-1976).
Man City has kept a clean sheet in six out of seven league matches with Arsenal, including the four last four games in a row after a 3-1 win at home in February 2019.
Arsenal has lost six of their last six Premier League games against champions. They have conceded just three goals in five of those last five. Arsenal have lost just one of their 17 away league matches against reigning champions (D6L10). That victory was at Manchester City in January 2015.
Manchester City has won their two Premier League home matches by a score of 5-0. Only Man City (October 2017), and Chelsea (August 2010,) have ever won three consecutive home games with 5+ goals.
Arsenal lost their first two league games in four seasons for the second consecutive time. They had only done it in one of their previous 63 campaigns. The Gunners have lost their three first league games only four times in their history - 1894–95 (second-tier), 1921-22 and 1923-24, respectively, and 1954–55 (all top-flight).
Arsenal has failed to score in three of its first league games in only two of their previous117 seasons. This was in 1953-54 and 1904-05. They did however score at least one point in each of their first three league games.
Arsenal had 28 shots this season in their Premier League matches, but only 1.54 goals are expected. Their xG per shot of 0.06 is the lowest in the division this season.
Raheem Sterling, Man City, has scored seven goals in his six Premier League matches against Arsenal (5 goals and 2 assists), including the goal that ended the match with a tie.
Rben and Jack Dias (Man City) have carried more balls than any other Premier League players so far this season. Jack Grealish, on the other hand, has carried the ball farther than anyone (739 metres).
Liverpool and Chelsea will face off at Anfield live on Sky Sports Saturday night. Jamie Redknapp joins Peter Smith for the Essential Football Podcast to preview this big match between the two Premier League title contenders.
PART 1: Romelu Lukaku vs Virgil Van Dijk at Anfield this weekend - but which one will win? Jamie Redknapp offers his verdict. The Sky Sports pundit also reflects on Harry Kane's stay at Spurs and shares his thoughts on what it is like for the striker on the course.
Part 2: Sky Sports Football journalist Charlotte Marsh looks at Adama Traore's new role as a Wolves player. They have scored 42 goals and 0 goals in their Premier League matches, and we discuss Man Utd’s impressive run away from home.
PART 3: Leeds' trip to Burnley is a preview. Data Editor Adam Smith names the statistically most successful English players in Europe, starting with the opening rounds. There are many surprises!
