Manchester City vs Arsenal live: Latest score as Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus stretch lead
Follow the latest from the Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Premier League leaders Manchester City take on Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium looking to stretch their unbeaten league run this season to 11 matches and dent the Gunners’ hopes of turning their top four challenge into a title tilt. Follow the live action below.
- Manchester City vs Arsenal kicks off at 14:15
- Pep Guardiola names Sergio Aguero in attack with Gabriel Jesus on the bench
- Both Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane start
- Arsenal leave Alexandre Laazette out of starting line-up
- Arsene Wenger names 4-3-2-1 formation with Alexis Sanchez in attack
Follow the live action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
Preview...
Manchester City host Arsenal on Sunday hoping to extend their record-breaking unbeaten run at the pinnacle of the Premier League table.
Following their victory away at Napoli on Wednesday night, City are now unbeaten in 22 games in all competitions – a record that stretches back into last season – and will welcome the Gunners more than confident they can overcome any challenge that might be thrown at them.
Although Pep Guardiola and his side have been careful to play down hyperbole already suggesting that City will be runaway winners of the league this term, it is hard to examine the evidence of their recent form and come to any other conclusion.
In addition to blowing away any domestic competition with blistering attacking football – in their ten games so far, they have won nine and drawn one, scoring 35 goals in the process – City have also demonstrated impressive resilience in European competition, their 4-2 comeback victory in Naples in midweek being the latest example.
Guardiola will realise, however, that this weekend could prove crucial to the fate of his team’s season. With closest title challengers Manchester United away at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, three points here could open up an eight point gap at the top, though anything less than that may also see their local rivals draw nearer.
The Spaniard will also not be underestimating his visitors. Although a shaky start to the campaign has left the Gunners in fifth place, they have demonstrated some impressive grit in securing five wins in three different competitions in recent weeks. If his team could come away from the Etihad with at least a draw, and fourth-placed Chelsea drop points against United, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will know they could climb into the top four for the first time this term.
The north Londoners will also be boosted by the return of some fresh first-teamers after Thursday night’s triumph against Red Star Belgrade, with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez both set to start. City, too, will likely field a strong side, although defenders Vincent Kompany and Benjamin Mendy remain long-term absentees.
What time does it start?
Manchester City vs Arsenal kicks off at 14:15
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event from 13:00. Highlights will be shown on BBC One at 22:30.
It’s a big game for…
Kyle Walker. Although Sergio Aguero deserves an honourable mention – it will be the first game he starts as City’s leading goalscorer, after surpassing Eric Brook’s previous 177 tally against Napoli – it will be interesting to see how the ex-Spurs defender gets on against old derby rivals Arsenal.
The wing-back has impressed so far this term, with four assists coming from nine starts in the league, though if Arsenal’s stars arrive in Manchester in the mood, he will have to be at his best.
Best stat…
6 points. The record lead of a first-placed team, at this stage of the Premier League season (11th game-week), that was eventually conceded by the end of the season. In other words, if City can stretch their lead to over 6 points this weekend, they will make history if they then go on not to win the title.
Remember when…
The inimitable Emmanuel Adebayor celebrated his fourth goal for Manchester City, against former club Arsenal, by running the length of the field to celebrate in front of the, slightly disgruntled, Gunners support.
Player(s) to watch…
Kevin De Bruyne vs Mesut Ozil. It will be an interesting matchup between arguably the Premier League’s best No.10s.
Although De Bruyne’s assisting heroics are almost as well-documented as Ozil’s struggles to win over the faith of the Arsenal faithful, both players have been at their creative best this term, creating 30 chances apiece in the league. It might be a case of which team can best convert these chances, when they come, that will decide Sunday’s contest.
Previous three meetings…
Arsenal 2 (Monreal, Sanchez) Manchester City 1 (Aguero), FA Cup, April 2017
Arsenal 2 (Walcott, Mustafi) Manchester City 2 (Sane, Aguero), Premier League, April 2017
Manchester City 2 (Sane, Sterling) Arsenal 1 (Walcott), Premier League, December 2017
Form guide…
Manchester City: WWWWWW
Arsenal: LWWWWW
Odds…
Manchester City: 2/7
Arsenal: 6
Draw: 39/10
43' - Just a couple of minutes to go in this opening period. City have been the better side but they've far from blown Arsenal away. The visitors have just been too sloppy in possession.
45' - A minute of additional time to come at the end of the first half.
45+1 - Aaron Ramsey goes so close to equalising for Arsenal on the stroke of half-time but his low shot is kept out by Ederson at his near post after good hold-up play by Alexis Sanchez.
Half-time - Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Michael Oliver blows his whistle and Kevin De Bruyne's 19th-minute strike is the difference between the two sides at the break.
48' - Alexandre Lacazette, Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud are all warming up on the touchline for Arsenal.
Penalty to City!
Nacho Monreal brings Raheem Sterling down in the box and Sergio Aguero has the chance to make it 2-0 from the spot.
GOAL! Manchester City 2-0 Arsenal (Aguero)
50' - Sergio Aguero doubles City's lead as his penalty finds the back of the net via Petr Cech's left-hand post. There's no stopping those.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments