Erling Haaland is expected to lead the line once again for Manchester City when they face Arsenal in a blockbuster Premier League showdown.
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Pep Guardiola’s men come into the game off the back of a 3-0 win against Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final – with Riyad Mahrez netting a hat-trick for the Manchester side.
As for Arsenal, the Gunners dropped more points after drawing 3-3 at home to Southampton – with Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka scoring for the league leaders.
Nathan Ake is the only major absentee for City. The defender picked up a hamstring injury during the club’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash with Bayern Munich. In his absence, Aymeric Laporte is expected to feature in defence along with Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias.
Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne were both named on the bench in City’s clash with Sheffield United at the weekend but are set to start against the Gunners.
Erling Haaland is once again set to start from the off for Manchester City against Arsenal
Arsenal will be without William Saliba as the defender has a ‘structural damage’ in his back
Rob Holding will most likely partner Gabriel Magalhaes at the back for the Gunners
After scoring all three of City’s goals in their last game, Mahrez will be pushing for a start, while Jack Grealish is certain to feature from the off. The Englishman has enjoyed a good season for Guardiola’s side so far and has two goals and two assists in his last five games.
Haaland will no doubt start from the off and is City’s top scorer this season, with 48 in all competitions. The Norwegian has scored six goals in his last five games.
As for Arsenal, the big news coming out of the side is that William Saliba will miss the clash on Wednesday as the defender has a ‘structural damage’ in his back. The Frenchman has been out of action for over a month with a lower back injury.
Rob Holding will once again partner Gabriel Magalhaes at the back, with Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko operating as fullbacks.
Granit Xhaka still remains a doubt after missing the draw with Southampton. Fabio Vieira deputised in midfield along with Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard in the clash with the Saints. Arteta could opt to use the same midfield trio again if Xhaka remains unavailable for selection.
Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are all expected to start in the front three for the league leaders.
The clash between the two sides will take place at the Etihad Stadium, with the game kicking off at 8pm.
Predicted Manchester City XI (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Laporte; Stones, Rodri; Mahrez, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Vieira, Partey; Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli