Arsenal welcome Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon and Pep Guardiola has some injury and suspension issues to consider when picking his starting XI
Manchester City met at Wembley Stadium in the annual season curtain raiser with the Gunners emerging victorious thanks to a penalty shootout to lift the Community Shield.
Fast forward two months and they lock horns again with the stakes somewhat higher. Whilst a result won’t be decisive – even if there is a winner at the Emirates Stadium – the north London outfit are looking to end a Premier League hoodoo and the champions are out to send a message to the rest of the division.
Looking at the two teams a lot has changed in the time between their last meeting and present day. For example, Arsenal have since added David Raya to their ranks, have let Matt Turner and Kieran Tierney leave one way or another but will be without Jurrien Timber and quite possibly Gabriel Martinelli as well as Bukayo Saka.
As for the Treble winners, Josko Gvardiol is available for selection this time as are fellow summer signings Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes. However, Cole Palmer, the scorer of their goal in the Community Shield, has since departed along with Aymeric Laporte who was an unused substitute that afternoon.
Furthermore, Kevin De Bruyne – who came off the bench to provide the assist and also miss in the penalty shootout – is sidelined through injury, Rodri serves the final game of his domestic suspension and Pep Guardiola revealed on Friday that John Stones will not feature at the Emirates.
“No. He’s not ready to play,” Guardiola said of the England international during the pre-match press conference. “Maybe for the national team, but not us. Kevin [De Bruyne] comes in at different times, either before training or for his treatment. After training he sees physios, and so on. Of course I see him every day and he’s getting better, and his mood is good. Hopefully (he will be back) sooner than expected.”