Arsenal vs Manchester City Prediction, Preview, Team News and Lineups 21.09.2025

Arsenal vs Manchester City Preview and Team News

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal have extended their impressive start to the 2025-26 season with their fourth win in five matches across all competitions, securing a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club in the UEFA Champions League opener. The Gunners have done a good job bouncing back from their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, recording back-to-back wins and clean sheets against Nottingham Forest and Athletic Club.

The fact that Arsenal have accomplished this while having two of their best players, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, sidelined with injuries, is even more impressive. Mikel Arteta’s men have recorded four clean sheets in five outings despite being without William Saliba. The squad’s quality and depth have been tested, and so far, they’ve passed with flying colors.

The return of Saliba should strengthen the team defensively ahead of a tough matchup against an on-the-rise Manchester City side. However, Arsenal can’t sit back and wait for the rivals to commit a mistake. Pep Guardiola’s men have looked at their worst when being pressured and attacked, so the Gunners are likely to adopt an aggressive approach in the quest to keep their winning streak alive.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Manchester City (4-3-3): David Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Mikel Merino; Madueke, Gyökeres, Eze.

Manchester City Team News

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City came under heavy criticism after losing two of their first three matches in the 2025-26 Premier League season, particularly after back-to-back poor performances against Tottenham and Brighton. However, the squad have bounced back admirably and now head to London on the back of a two-game winning streak across all competitions and two clean sheets.

The turnaround began with a huge 3-0 win over Manchester United last weekend, and as if that wasn’t enough, they opened their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over Napoli. The play of Erling Haaland upfront, who scored the opening goal in both fixtures, and Gianluigi Donnarumma between the posts have been absolute difference-makers for a City side that’s slowly beginning to look like a genuine title contender in 2025-26.

Given the sizable challenge that Arsenal represent, and how vital this clash can be in the potential title race, Guardiola is unlikely to make big changes to the starting lineup, even though this will be City’s third outing in eight days. Based on their previous two performances, they appear to be finding their rhythm, and when they do, they’re a difficult team for any opponent to handle.

Manchester City predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri; Bobb, Bernardo Silva, Reijnders, Foden; Haaland.

Arsenal vs Manchester City Main Match Info

• Date and Kickoff Time: Sunday, September 21, 2025, 12:30 PM EDT
• Stadium: Emirates Stadium
• Location: London, England
• Last match: Arsenal 5:1 Manchester City (February 2, 2025, Premier League)

Arsenal vs Manchester City Prediction, Odds

• Pick: Manchester City double chance (win/draw)
• Odds: -117 (Tonybet)
• Correct score prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City

Arsenal enter this clash as heavy favourites – and for good reason. They’ve lost just once this season, and it was a tight game against Liverpool where no one would’ve said anything had it ended in a draw. Manchester City haven’t looked consistent, but the last two displays of Guardiola’s side suggest that they can compete with any club in the world, including the Gunners.

Thus, despite Arsenal’s home advantage and status as heavy odds-on favourites, we’re backing City to avoid defeat here. The Cityzens look like a completely new team with Donnarumma between the posts and Haaland tearing defences apart left and right. Additionally, the Londoners are expected to be without two of their best players, Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Martin Odegaard (shoulder), which should limit their attacking potential.

If City maintain the level they showed against Manchester United and Napoli, they’ll have a good chance to secure a positive result against Arsenal. The Gunners will also have fewer rest days due to their midweek trip to Spain, further reducing their chances of looking like their usual dominant self. They already struggled against Liverpool, and a repeat could be on the cards here against Man City.

Arsenal vs Manchester City Betting Tip

• Pick: Both teams to score – yes
• Odds: -139 (Tonybet)

While it’s tough to choose a favourite in an even matchup between two star-studded teams, it’s easy to imagine both of them getting on the scoresheet. Arsenal may have recorded four clean sheets in 2025-26, but now they face a much tougher test against City. The one time they met a title contender in Liverpool, they came up short.

The historical data also supports the notion of a goal-filled contest here. The two head-to-head encounters from the 2024-25 season saw both sides find the back of the net, and that has also been the case in five of their previous seven meetings.

Arsenal vs Manchester City: Where to Watch (Canada) 

• DAZN Canada
• fuboTV Canada
• Amazon Prime Video
• Fubo Sports Network Canada

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