Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City for 2 February

Arsenal are five points clear of their next opponents Manchester City and this time play hosts in what will be the 14th clash between Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola. The Gunners have recently turned around their eight consecutive losses against the Citizens and have not since lost to the side since April 2023. Here is our Arsenal predicted lineup vs Manchester City.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City: Another Injury Blow for Gunners

How Arsenal Have Lined-up Recently

At the age of 35 years and 194 days, Neto became Arsenal’s oldest debutant for 110 years in their 2-1 victory against Girona. He came into the starting lineup for an injured David Raya and drew some criticism for his attempts at trying to handle Arnaut Danjuma’s shot despite being many yards outside his box.

Watching on, Riccardo Calafiori started at left-back, Jakub Kiwior partnered Gabriel Magalhaes in the middle and Thomas Partey filled the right-back berth. Although both full-backs were changed during the course of the match; Jurrien Timber came on for Partey at half-time and Myles Lewis-Skelly replaced Calafiori in the 70th minute.

Martin Odegaard returned from illness to start and captain his side. He was joined by Jorginho and Mikel Merino in the middle.

Arteta changed up his front three yet again, this time with Ethan Nwaneri on the right, Leandro Trossard in the centre and Raheem Sterling on the left – with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli making second-half substitute appearances.

Arsenal Recent Form and Tactics

Just nominated for the third time for Premier League Manager of the Month, Arteta has guided his team to four wins and two losses in their last six Premier League matches. And their recent win against Girona extends their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions.

Scoring 22 goals in both home and away league fixtures this campaign, Arsenal’s forward line has been pretty productive this season despite the injuries to various personnel.

Meanwhile, their defensive record is slightly better at home in the league with just nine goals conceded (versus 12 on the road).

In securing their progress to the Champions League round of 16, Arsenal suffered fewer shots on goal than any other side in the league phase. The Gunners also had the lowest xG against total of 5.8.

Arteta deserves a lot of credit for his tactical changes this season. His side may not play that free-flowing, unthrottled attacking football that fans enjoyed earlier in his tenure, but his improved 4-3-3 system now ensures his side are always hard to beat. Not to say that Arsenal have lost their flair, quite the opposite, as Ethan Nwaneri showed, curling in a spectacular Champions League debut goal effort against Girona, skipping past numerous defenders before firing home just outside the box.

Every side has vulnerabilities, just like how Danjuma got in behind the Arsenal back-line last time out. But the stats are starting to exemplify how the Gunners are much stronger defensively, reflected in their league and Champions League form this season.

Arsenal Injuries and Absentees to Consider

Injuries persist for Arsenal in not quite as severe a crisis as their North London rivals but with significant losses nonetheless.

David Raya missed the Girona fixture due to an unspecified injury. Arteta has since revealed it is a muscular injury and that Arsenal will have to ‘wait and see’ if he will be fit for the City clash.

Contrary to rumours in recent weeks that Ben White has returned to the training pitch, Arteta has confirmed that he has not trained with the first team and is definitely out for the next match.

Arteta said: “We are still a bit uncertain [on the fitness of Raya and White]. We have another session tomorrow and another 48 hours, so we have to wait and see. Ben is definitely out, hasn’t trained with us yet so is not going to be available. No other news from the game against Girona.”

Arsenal’s longer-term injury list includes Takehiro Tomiyasu, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.