Manchester City have the chance to move above Arsenal in the Premier League table if they defeat the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
Pep Guardiola's side secured a comfortable victory over Aston Villa in the top flight on Sunday, with Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez all on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win.
The Blues responded well to their disappointing defeat to Tottenham Hotspur with a convincing win over the Midlands outfit last weekend, but the injury to star striker Erling Haaland came as a blow to Guardiola.
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City raised the hopes of fans that the Norwegian ace would be involved against Arsenal after the club posted pictures of him in training on social media on Monday. However, Guardiola admitted that he would have to wait for the session on Tuesday before deciding on whether the 22-year-old could feature.
Unless anything drastic happens before kick-off, Ederson will start against the Gunners on Wednesday night. The Brazilian shot-stopper has been impressive this season and has featured in every single Premier League match. He has kept eight clean sheets this term, with only three goalkeepers recording more.
Guardiola has used several different defenders in recent weeks, but he could revert to a more recognised back-four for the game against Arteta's men. Kyle Walker started on the right of a back three at the weekend, but it would not come as a surprise if he returned to right-back in midweek. On the other flank, Nathan Ake should come back into the starting line-up after dropping to the bench. At the heart of defence, Ruben Dias could partner Aymeric Laporte.
In midfield, Kevin De Bruyne is expected to start, as is Rodri. Therefore, it should be either Bernardo Silva or Gundogan alongside them, but Guardiola might opt to go with the latter to try and nullify Gunners captain Martin Odegaard. The German was on the scoresheet against Villa and performed well once again, while Rodri - who also scored - and De Bruyne are vital cogs in City's machine. With Arsenal likely to press high, it is important that the Blues are able to confidently build from the back when the two sides meet.
Jack Grealish and Mahrez have performed well recently and appear to be the preferred wing duo. Given that Phil Foden is still finding his feet after his injury, it is unlikely that either of them are dropped to the bench. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if Haaland will be fit enough to start against the London outfit, but he will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness before kick-off. Even if he is not able to play the full 90 minutes, it would not be a surprise to see him named in the starting line-up.
Predicted line-up vs Arsenal: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Ake; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.
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