Arsenal are unbeaten in five meetings with Manchester City, despite losing 15 of the previous 16 encounters beforehand. The Gunners are seeking a third successive home victory over the Citizens for the first time since 2009.
Arsenal vs Manchester City preview
For two seasons, these two clubs were battling it out for the Premier League title, only for both to be usurped by Liverpool last season, but who will put themselves forward as the primary challengers with a victory here? Of the pair, Arsenal have made the more impressive start to the season, winning three out of four Premier League matches, their sole defeat coming at Anfield. Last weekend, Mikel Arteta's team swatted aside Nottingham Forest 3-0 at home, with Martín Zubimendi scoring a first-ever career brace, featuring an absolute rocket, while Viktor Gyökeres was also on target.
Then, on Tuesday night, Arsenal began their quest for Champions League glory by beating Athletic Club Bilbao 2-0 at San Mamés. Substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard made all the difference, the former scoring just 36 seconds after being introduced, before turning provided, with the Belgian lashing home the clincher. So now, can the Gunners claim a statement victory?
As for Manchester City, well a mixed bag thus far. Pep Guardiola's side have won two and lost two in the Premier League so far, beaten by Spurs and then Brighton, before bouncing back by demolishing Manchester United 3-0 at the Etihad last Sunday. Phil Foden's header broke the deadlock, before Erling Braut Håland struck twice, as they very much swatted their neighbours aside with ease.
Then, on Thursday night, the Sky Blues battled to a 2-0 Champions League victory over Napoli. They were rather helped by the fact Giovanni Di Lorenzo was sent off inside 20 minutes, with Håland making the breakthrough shortly after half time, before Jérémy Doku lashed home a second from an acute angle. However, Guardiola's team have had two fewer days to prepare for this huge clash, which has to be a disadvantage, so can Man City assert themselves as bona fide title contenders?
Arsenal vs Manchester City head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 213.
- Arsenal Wins: 101. Draws: 47. Manchester City Wins: 65.
Arsenal team news
Arsenal will be without Benjamin White and Kai Havertz, while Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka are both doubts, after neither traveled to Bilbao.
William Saliba was an unused substitutes at San Mamés, so will he return to the line-up, thereby displacing Cristhian Mosquera, who has been excellent as an understudy it must be said?
Mikel Merino is likely to keep his place in midfield, while it'll once again be Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze out-wide, despite Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli's goals off the bench on Tuesday.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Manchester City: (4-3-3): Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Merino; Madueke, Eze, Gyökeres.
Arsenal player to watch vs Manchester City
Having scored against both Leeds and Nottingham Forest, a goal here would make Viktor Gyökeres just the second Arsenal player to net during their first three Premier League appearances at the Emirates, after Alexandre Lacazette in 2017.
Manchester City team news
Pep Guardiola travels to London without John Stones, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Mateo Kovačić, Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush who are all injured.
Rodri was taken off on the hour mark against Napoli, replaced by Nico González, so will the Ballon d'Or winner be good to go again, considering the quick turnaround?
Gianluigi Donnarumma was outstanding against Arsenal in last season's Champions League semi-finals, hoping to produce something similar here. Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico O'Reilly have started the last two matches at full-back; if this is the case again, that could certainly be a weakness.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Arsenal: (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Khusanov, Rúben Dias Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Rodri, Reijnders, Foden, Silva, Doku; Håland.
Manchester City player to watch vs Arsenal
In a battle of two big Scandinavian strikers, Erling Braut Håland has scored four times in six Premier League appearances against Arsenal, so will he further improve that ratio?
Arsenal vs Manchester City prediction
We're backing Arsenal to claim a statement victory in this Sunday afternoon blockbuster. The two days extra preparation time will surely be a big factor while, frankly, the Gunners are a stronger, more cohesive side right now, hence why we're forecasting a home win: Arsenal 2-0 Manchester City.
Arsenal vs Manchester City FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Arsenal vs Manchester City in the Premier League on TV channel?
Arsenal vs Manchester City in the Premier League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League & Ultra HD.
- USA: fuboTV, NBC, Telemundo & Deportes En Vivo
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network Canada
How to watch Arsenal vs Manchester City in the Premier League on live streaming?
Arsenal vs Manchester City in the Premier League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV.
- USA: fuboTV, nbcsports.com, USA Network & Telemundo
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Arsenal vs Manchester City in the Premier League?
Arsenal vs Manchester City takes place on Sunday 21 September 2025, with kick off at 16:30 (BST), 11:30 (EDT) & 8:30 (PDT).