Arsenal vs Man City team news and predicted line-ups: Lewis-Skelly available after controversial red card as visitors face defensive crisis
Arsenal’s title hopes could be a dealt a massive blow this weekend when they face Manchester City. The Gunners trail Liverpool by six points at the top of the table and any dropped points against the current champions might be it for Mikel Arteta‘s men, especially with the Reds having a game in hand. Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly will be available for this match after his red card was overturnedAFP The first game at the Etihad ended 2-2 as John Stones scored a last-minute equaliser to break Arsenal hearts. The Gunners saw Leandro Trossard sent off for two yellow cards when they were leading. It was an excellent encounter and one of the best of the season so far, and with so much on the line here, this one should live up to expectations. However, there are injury concerns for both teams, meaning we could see some changed XIs. Arsenal David Raya is Arsenal’s undisputed number one goalkeeper. Jurrien Timber has been filling in at right-back for a while due to Ben White‘s injury, and he’ll no doubt continue there. Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are a rock-solid centre-back duo, but at left-back, there are options. Myles Lewis-Skelly is available after his controversial red card was rescinded. The young defender was dismissed during last week’s win over Wolves for what was deemed to be violent conduct. VAR checked and confirmed the decision, which was widely criticised. Arsenal submitted an appeal and won, so he could start, but Riccardo Calafiori is also available. The Italian scored the winner last weekend. Calafiori popped up with a moment of magic at MolineuxGetty The midfield three is likely to pick itself. Captain Martin Odegaard has returned from illness, so he’ll join Declan Rice and Thomas Partey. With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus injured, there are limited attacking options. Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are likely to be on either wing, with Kai Havertz leading the line. Raheem Sterling is not expected to start against his former club. Lewis-Skelly should keep his place in the team and Odegaard is fully fit again Manchester City Ederson is back in Pep Guardiola‘s good books and grabbed an assist in the 3-1 win over Chelsea for Erling Haaland. With Kyle Walker gone, Matheus Nunes has been filling in at right-back, but given the attacking prowess Arsenal have, Rico Lewis might get a chance. Abdukodir Khusanov endured a tough debut, in which he gave away a goal and was booked before being substituted. As a result, Stones should partner Manuel Akanji. Josko Gvardiol is guaranteed to start at left-back while there will be no Ruben Dias or Nathan Ake through injury. Khusanov’s debut didn’t go to planGetty Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic form the most solid midfield Guardiola has at his disposal, with Rodri out for the remainder of the campaign. Kevin De Bruyne is starting to be used from the bench more and more. That is likely to see new man Omar Marmoush retain his place in the XI. The Egyptian made his debut at the Etihad last weekend and impressed. Bernardo Silva and Savinho are battling it out for a place on the right wing, while on the opposite side, Phil Foden has his position locked down again. After a slow start to the campaign, Foden has scored six goals in his last four league games, keeping Jack Grealish on the bench. Marmoush should keep his place, but Khusanov is likely to be dropped Arsenal vs Man City: Date and how to follow This Premier League game is set to take place on Sunday, February 2. Kick-off at the Emirates is scheduled for 4:30pm. The match will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League. Sky Go customers can tune in via their laptops and mobile devices. Alternatively, fans can purchase a NOW TV pass. More info here. talkSPORT will have updates throughout the afternoon, and talkSPORT.com will have the action on our dedicated Premier League blog. To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Arsenal’s title hopes could be a dealt a massive blow this weekend when they face Manchester City.
The Gunners trail Liverpool by six points at the top of the table and any dropped points against the current champions might be it for Mikel Arteta‘s men, especially with the Reds having a game in hand.
The first game at the Etihad ended 2-2 as John Stones scored a last-minute equaliser to break Arsenal hearts.
The Gunners saw Leandro Trossard sent off for two yellow cards when they were leading.
It was an excellent encounter and one of the best of the season so far, and with so much on the line here, this one should live up to expectations.
However, there are injury concerns for both teams, meaning we could see some changed XIs.
Arsenal
David Raya is Arsenal’s undisputed number one goalkeeper.
Jurrien Timber has been filling in at right-back for a while due to Ben White‘s injury, and he’ll no doubt continue there.
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are a rock-solid centre-back duo, but at left-back, there are options.
Myles Lewis-Skelly is available after his controversial red card was rescinded.
The young defender was dismissed during last week’s win over Wolves for what was deemed to be violent conduct.
VAR checked and confirmed the decision, which was widely criticised.
Arsenal submitted an appeal and won, so he could start, but Riccardo Calafiori is also available.
The Italian scored the winner last weekend.
The midfield three is likely to pick itself.
Captain Martin Odegaard has returned from illness, so he’ll join Declan Rice and Thomas Partey.
With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus injured, there are limited attacking options.
Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are likely to be on either wing, with Kai Havertz leading the line.
Raheem Sterling is not expected to start against his former club.
Manchester City
Ederson is back in Pep Guardiola‘s good books and grabbed an assist in the 3-1 win over Chelsea for Erling Haaland.
With Kyle Walker gone, Matheus Nunes has been filling in at right-back, but given the attacking prowess Arsenal have, Rico Lewis might get a chance.
Abdukodir Khusanov endured a tough debut, in which he gave away a goal and was booked before being substituted.
As a result, Stones should partner Manuel Akanji.
Josko Gvardiol is guaranteed to start at left-back while there will be no Ruben Dias or Nathan Ake through injury.
Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic form the most solid midfield Guardiola has at his disposal, with Rodri out for the remainder of the campaign.
Kevin De Bruyne is starting to be used from the bench more and more.
That is likely to see new man Omar Marmoush retain his place in the XI.
The Egyptian made his debut at the Etihad last weekend and impressed.
Bernardo Silva and Savinho are battling it out for a place on the right wing, while on the opposite side, Phil Foden has his position locked down again.
After a slow start to the campaign, Foden has scored six goals in his last four league games, keeping Jack Grealish on the bench.
Arsenal vs Man City: Date and how to follow
This Premier League game is set to take place on Sunday, February 2.
Kick-off at the Emirates is scheduled for 4:30pm.
The match will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League.
Sky Go customers can tune in via their laptops and mobile devices.
Alternatively, fans can purchase a NOW TV pass. More info here.
talkSPORT will have updates throughout the afternoon, and talkSPORT.com will have the action on our dedicated Premier League blog.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
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