As is often the case when Manchester City and Arsenal meet in the Premier League, the upcoming match will feature reunions among familiar players, adding extra intrigue.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, started his coaching journey as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City before taking the helm at the Emirates. After finishing as runners-up to City for the past two seasons, Arteta, who recently extended his contract for three years, is eager to finally surpass his former boss and guide Arsenal to success by 2025.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, Oleksandr Zinchenko, another ex-Manchester City player, will be sidelined due to injury. A crucial player for the Gunners, he will be joined on the bench by captain Martin Odegaard, who is also unavailable.
On the other hand, Gabriel Jesus, who joined the Premier League from Brazilian club Palmeiras, might participate in the match. Jesus played a key role during his time at City and now has the opportunity to compete against his former team as an important part of Arsenal’s offense.
Moreover, Raheem Sterling, currently on loan at Arsenal from Chelsea, could also feature. During his six seasons at Manchester City, he made a significant impact, scoring 121 goals and helping establish the foundations of the club’s current success. His move to Arsenal surprised many, including Arteta, as he mentioned in an ESPN interview.
Sterling has played for several top Premier League teams, including City, Chelsea, and Liverpool. With his transfer to Arsenal, he is just one team away from completing a run with all of the traditional “Big Six” in the Premier League, needing only Manchester United to finalize his journey.