Match Preview – Two of the Premier League’s top three meet in a potential title decider when Arsenal travel to Manchester City.
League leaders Arsenal snatched top spot off Liverpool just three weeks ago. Now they face possibly the toughest challenge in the form of reigning champions Man City, who are also bidding to end the weekend top of the tree.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s fixture.
Form
Manchester City: WWWDW
Manchester City have locked their targets on becoming the first-ever English club to win four consecutive titles in the top tier.
After a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in their last league match, the Citizens are third in the table with 10 games remaining. The league’s top three are separated by just a singular point, and this year’s title battle promises to be one of, if not the best ever.
Before the international break, City comfortably saw off Newcastle United to reach the FA Cup’s last four. They’re also into the Champions League quarter-finals and the prospect of back-to-back trebles is well and truly on – another achievement that set unprecedented history.
Wembley bound! ????️????#ManCity pic.twitter.com/rI0HliWg0L
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 16, 2024
The Citizens are unbeaten in their last 22 games in all competitions – a remarkable run that stretches back to December 6, 2023. They’re the form team in the league and certainly have the know-how when it comes down to the business end of the season.
As for the team news, City will be without Kyle Walker and John Stones, who both suffered injuries playing for England during the break. Manuel Akanji, Kevin De Bruyne and Matheus Nunes have been cleared for the tie, and Ederson is also likely to start after recovering from injury.
Arsenal: LWWWW
Arsenal can take an enormous step towards a first title in 20 years with a victory this weekend.
After a brilliant run of form, they took top spot when Liverpool and Manchester City dropped points in their draw at Anfield before the international break. The Gunners have won all of their league matches in 2024, scoring 33 goals in eight games and conceding just four.
Sunday’s match promises to be a cracker as only Arsenal’s recent record can match up to City’s. Furthermore, with both sides knowing that any dropped points could be capitalised on by Liverpool, who face Brighton earlier in the day, the tension will be through the roof.
Full focus on Manchester City ????
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— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 27, 2024
After coming so close last season, Arsenal have had a taste of the title race pressure and will have hoped to have learned lessons from last season.
On paper, the Gunners have a challenging run-in. With games against Aston Villa, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United to come, it’s vital they take points off their title rivals when they can.
Arsenal will be able to call on David Raya again after he missed the club’s last league match. However, there are doubts over the fitness of Bakayo Saka, Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli.
Previous Meetings
The two sides have met twice so far this season, once in the league and once in the Community Shield. In the reverse fixture Arsenal battled out a 1-0 victory courtesy of a late Gabriel Martinelli goal that kickstarted their title charge.
The Community Shield also went Arsenal’s way after a penalty shoot-out. That game ended an eight-game losing streak against City that stemmed back to 2020.
Although Arsenal dominate the overall head-to-head records, they’ve won this fixture just three times in seven years, such has been Pep Guardiola’s dominance over his rivals.
Potential Lineups
Manchester City: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Ake; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Doku.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
Who is the referee?
Anthony Taylor
Is the game on TV?
UK – Sky Sports Main Event
What time is kick-off?
16:30 GMT, Sunday 31 March
Odds
Manchester City – 10/11
Draw – 11/4
Arsenal – 14/5
Read More – Guardiola confirms key duo will miss the Arsenal clash
Read Also – Arteta says Guardiola is the best in the world
