Well, who would’ve thought that this time last year, when City were coming off the back of a disappointing loss against Derby County, that in a year’s time we’d be facing the Premier League title holders?
The first proper reality check of the season, facing a side that are arguably the best in the world and most certainly the best in the division. It’s going to be a good litmus test for whoever Sergej picks to feature, and it should show us the level the lads are truly at when they match up against some of the world’s most elite players.

Opponent Observations
The Gunners have had, as you would’ve guessed, a flying start once again, looking very likely to be on course to defend their title.
Winning 8 of their first 9 games, with their only loss coming to the surprise package of the season in Brighton, where they were comprehensively beaten 3-0, which shed some light on the potential weak areas of this Arsenal side.
Brighton aside, the Gunners have made light work of their other games up to this point, still looking as if they are in second gear, especially considering that they are still yet to field their full-strength eleven, which is a scary thought for the rest of the Premier League.

Head-to-Head
As expected, this fixture is quite heavily one-sided in favour of Arsenal. In total, both sides have met 26 times, with 18 of them being won by the Gunners, the points being shared on 5 occasions and City winning on just 3.
City’s last win against Arsenal was back in 2008 (in case you somehow forgot), when the Tigers shocked everyone, themselves included, with a 2-1 win at the Emirates thanks to one of the goals of the season, and the most memorable in City history from Geovanni. The win was then sealed just minutes later by Daniel Cousin from a signature Andy Dawson set-piece; what a special day that was!

Key Players
Gabriel Magalhães
After joining from Lille in 2019/20, Gabriel has grown into one of, if not the best, defenders in the world, cemented by numerous stellar campaigns in recent years and 3 consecutive inclusions in the PFA Team of the Year.
No centre-back has scored more goals than Gabriel since he joined the Premier League, which is an incredible stat.
He is by far one of the most dominant aerial threats in the division, and has become a force to be reckoned with, especially with how unstoppable the Gunners have been and continue to be from corners and set-pieces, something that City will be very wary of on Saturday.
Declan Rice
It’s safe to say that Arsenal possess at least 3-4 of the world’s best players at the moment, and Declan Rice is yet another example of one of them.
After making the switch from West Ham for £100M in 2023, he has grown into the hands-down best defensive midfielder in the world.
Critically important to the way both Arsenal and England play, Rice has had multiple standout campaigns in the last few years in the Premier League, the Euros and, most recently, at the World Cup.
Martin Ødegaard
It’s hard to choose just 3 Key Players for a side like Arsenal, but I believe that Martin Ødegaard is one in the category just behind the likes of Gabriel and Rice.
The Norwegian international initially joined the Gunners on loan back in 2020, but made the move permanent following a successful loan spell, and the rest has been history.
Now Club Captain, Ødegaard is an integral part of this Arsenal team, making his side tick in midfield alongside Rice but in a more attacking role as the ‘number 10’.

Their Last Few
Slavia Prague 1 - 2 Arsenal - (Champions League)
Liverpool 0 - 1 Arsenal - (Premier League)
Fleetwood Town 1 - 1 Arsenal (5 - 3 on Penalties) - (EFL Cup)
Arsenal 2 - 0 Everton - (Premier League)
Bayern München 2 - 2 Arsenal - (Champions League)

Predictions
My predictions for the starting lineup to face the Gunners are as follows…

Goalkeeper: Konstantinos Tzolakis

Left Back: Ryan Giles
Centre Back: Nobel Mendy
Centre Back: John Egan
Centre Back: Semi Ajayi
Right Back: Lewie Coyle

Defensive Midfield: Tim Iroegbunam
Defensive Midfield: Regan Slater

Left Wing: Elliot Stroud
Striker: Oli McBurnie
Right Wing: Mohamed Belloumi

Final Thoughts…

Well, it’s the one a lot of us have been waiting for, a huge game in recent City history, a fantastic away-day opportunity, and it’s essentially seen as a free hit, so anything at all from the game will be viewed as a huge positive.
I reckon City can genuinely do something here; I’m not joking. The team is clearly full of belief and optimism this season, intent on not just making up the numbers, and going away to the Champions is the perfect opportunity to make your mark.
Given City’s next few fixtures, I can honestly see the positive side of ‘Typical City’ coming out here, with an incredibly tough game following this one against Brighton. You may say that I’m being silly and that I need to take off my Black and Amber-tinted glasses, but I’m going for a 1-1 draw.

As always, Up The Tigers!!