The Premier League is heating up, and one of the most anticipated fixtures of the 2025/26 season arrives this weekend: Arsenal vs Manchester City. On September 21, 2025, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners welcome Pep Guardiola’s defending champions to the Emirates Stadium for a mouthwatering showdown that could shape the early title race. With both teams boasting unbeaten runs in their last outings—Arsenal’s 2-0 Champions League win over Athletic Bilbao and City’s 2-0 triumph against Napoli—this Arsenal vs Man City battle promises fireworks.
In this comprehensive Arsenal vs Manchester City preview, we’ll dive into the match analysis, potential lineups, expert score predictions, and a full guide on where to watch Arsenal vs Man City live worldwide.
Match Preview
Arsenal enter this fixture in scintillating form, sitting second in the Premier League table with 9 points from their opening four games. The Gunners have been rock-solid at the back, conceding just one goal all season (a stunning free-kick from Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai), while their attack has clicked into gear with recent wins over Nottingham Forest and Athletic Bilbao. Mikel Arteta’s side has been unbeaten in their last five meetings against Manchester City across all competitions (W3 D2), including a memorable 5-1 thrashing at the Emirates in February 2025. That result still stings for City fans, but it highlights Arsenal’s growing confidence in this fixture.
Manchester City, meanwhile, sit eighth with 6 points but are showing signs of resurgence. Pep Guardiola’s men demolished Manchester United 3-0 in the derby before easing past Napoli in the Champions League. Erling Haaland’s return from injury has been a game-changer, with the Norwegian already netting 5 goals in 4 league games—despite it being his “worst” Premier League start yet. However, City’s summer spending spree (£242.83 million on new signings) means integration issues persist, and injuries to key players like John Stones and Rayan Ait-Nouri could expose vulnerabilities against Arsenal’s high-pressing style.
Predicted Lineups
Both teams face injury concerns after their midweek European fixtures. Arsenal will miss Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Kai Havertz (knee surgery), and Gabriel Jesus (knee), but Saliba and Ben White are back in training, bolstering the backline. For Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol returns, but John Stones is sidelined, and new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri faces five weeks out with an ankle injury. Nathan Ake may shift to left-back to counter Arsenal’s dynamic right flank.
Here’s how both sides might line up in a 4-3-3 formation:
Arsenal Predicted XI: David Raya in goal; Jurrien Timber at right-back; William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães at center-back; Riccardo Calafiori at left-back; Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino in midfield; Noni Madueke on the right wing; Viktor Gyökeres up top; and Eberechi Eze on the left wing. Key substitutes include Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli.
Manchester City Predicted XI: Gigi Donnarumma in goal; Abdukodir Khusanov at right-back; Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol at center-back; Nathan Ake at left-back; Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Bernardo Silva in midfield; Phil Foden on the right wing; Erling Haaland as striker; and Jérémy Doku on the left wing. Nico O’Reilly and Omar Marmoush are likely impact subs.
Where to Watch Arsenal vs Manchester City Live
Don’t miss a second of the action! The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, with streaming available via Peacock in the US. For international viewers, a VPN may be needed to access your home broadcast. Highlights air on BBC’s Match of the Day at 10:30 PM BST.
Here’s your complete Arsenal vs Man City TV guide and live stream options by country:
| Country | TV Channel / Live Stream |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom (UK), Republic of Ireland | Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event, Now, Sky Go UK |
| Australia | Stan Sport |
| Canada | DAZN, Amazon Prime Video, Fubo |
| Germany | Sky Sports Premier League |
| India | Jio+Hotstar, Star Sports 1/1HD |
| Spain | Movistar+, DAZN |
| France | Canal+ France, Canal+ Foot, Canal+ Live 1 |
| Netherlands | Viaplay |
| South Africa | SuperSport |
Score Predictions
This clash is too close to call, with betting markets pricing Arsenal as slight favorites at 1.96 odds for a home win (50.54% implied probability). City’s transitional phase gives the Gunners an edge at home, where they’ve won their last two against the champions. However, Haaland’s form (5 goals in 4 games) and Guardiola’s tactical nous could force a stalemate.
Our expert prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City. The Gunners’ defensive solidity and recent dominance in this fixture should see them edge it, with Viktor Gyökeres scoring the winner.
