RED-Y TO GO <\/span><\/p>\nMan Utd outcast Jadon Sancho set for transfer lifeline from Euro giants<\/h3>\n
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Guardiola will be encouraged by the good form shown by Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku.<\/p>\n
However City's record without Rodri, who is suspended, will be a cause for concern.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from a mid-week defeat as they aim to continue their unbeaten league start.<\/p>\n
They beat City in the Community Shield thanks to some last-minute good fortune but they have not been at their best at home.<\/p>\n
Draws with Fulham and Tottenham and a narrow win over Manchester United means there is plenty of room for improvement, but City's visit provides them with the ideal opportunity to show off their title credentials.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Team news<\/h2>\n
The good news for Gooners is Bukayo Saka is in "contention" to play, while Thomas Partey may also return to the matchday squad.<\/p>\n
But Gabriel Martinelli is set to miss out once again.<\/p>\n
For Pep Guardiola, he will be without defensive midfield stalwart Rodri as he serves the final game of his three-match ban.<\/p>\n
Bernardo Silva returned to the City squad in midweek after missing the last three games with a knock.<\/p>\n
However the match will come too soon for John Stones, who has not featured since the Community Shield. Guardiola said: "Stones is not ready to play, maybe for national team but not for us."<\/p>\n
Summer signing Mateo Kovacic is also back in contention after suffering from a lower back problem.<\/p>\n
One to watch<\/h2>\n
Alvarez has started the season on fire and potentially poses a bigger danger for the Gunners than Erling Haaland.<\/p>\n
He has slotted into the Kevin De Bruyne role so well the champions have not even felt the Belgian's absence.<\/p>\n
Alvarez has scored six goals in all competitions and has recently added a new string to his bow – free-kicks, as evidenced against Wolves last weekend.<\/p>\n
Keeping him quiet will be a tall order and Declan Rice will likely be tasked with that responsibility.<\/p>\n
Arsenal splashed out \u00a3105million on the England star to take them to the next level, and it is games against the top six where Rice must make the difference if the Gunners are to go one better than last season.<\/p>\n
He has quietly gone about his business very effectively since his arrival and will be key to winning the midfield battle, particularly with Rodri unavailable for the visitors.<\/p>\n
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What have the manager's said?<\/h2>\n
Arteta admitted his side will have to be at their best to beat City, and was asked about how he will deal with the threat they pose from long balls.<\/p>\n
He responded: "They\u2019ve done that against Brighton or against Liverpool.<\/p>\n
"It\u2019s adapting to the behaviour of the team. You know what you\u2019re going to provoke. They have different qualities with Ederson and another goalkeeper."<\/p>\n
He also praised Trossard saying: "Really important. I think Leo has been really good. He had a big impact. He was absent against Brentford when he could not compete but apart from that he\u2019s been really good."<\/p>\n
City are just one point ahead of Arsenal and Guardiola is under no illusion that the North Londoners will challenge for the title. The Spaniard also discussed Rodri's absence and the threat Arsenal will pose.<\/p>\n
He said: "Absolutely. Among Liverpool, from what we have seen but to analyse the contenders in first 10 games, and we haven't even played that, we have to wait but the big clubs will be contenders."<\/p>\n
On Rodri he added: "We will see what happens. I started to talk today with my staff, we have to analyse, train this afternoon and prepare tomorrow. Rodri is one of the two three best holding midfielders in the world so his influence on the team is going to be big. But he's not there. We've coped with absenses in the past and we'll have to adapt.<\/p>\n
"When we have an absence as important as Rodri we need to look deep inside us to solve it. We can not to start crying and complaining we have to find a solution and XI players will be trying to win in London."<\/p>\n
On Arsenal's threat: "They are a good team, second they make man marking sometimes, allow you to do some process but after they are so aggressive. They have a clear pattern and really good team. They fought to be champions and now they're here again. Arsenal are back.<\/p>\n
"Are Arsenal stronger after last season's title fight? I don't know because I'm not in the locker room and I don't talk to them. I know Oleks [Zinchencko] and I know Jesus but the rest I don't know but they are still there. <\/p>\n
"The recruitment they have done is top, exceptional level of players. The keeper, Havertz, Rice. They are a good team."<\/p>\n
SunSport prediction<\/h2>\n
Both teams have made impressive starts to the campaign and although Arsenal have not looked as easy on the eye, they do look a more solid outfit with Declan Rice protecting the defence.<\/p>\n
City could struggle to exert their usual control due to the absence of Rodri, so there could be little to separate the two sides. 1-1.<\/p>\n