Arsenal and Man City created one of the most exciting championship races in Premier League history last season. The “Gunners” led most of the time, but coach Pep Guardiola’s army still came back spectacularly to win the third consecutive title.

Rice and Kovacic will be one of the hot spots in the midfield

Now, the two teams will extend their relationship with the English Super Cup match. Arsenal enter this showdown with promising preparations. The clash with Man City will be a better opportunity to test the power of the “Gunners”, especially the three new signings including Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber.

On the other side of the front line, Man City did not rest on the victory after winning the great “triple treble” last season. The green half of Manchester has added two quality rookies, Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol. Coach Pep Guardiola’s team will still be the No. 1 candidate for the championship in any tournament they attend this season.

Man City has a superior head-to-head record against Arsenal. “The Citizens” have beaten coach Mikel Arteta’s team all three times this year, twice in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup. Under coach Pep Guardiola, Man City have won 16 of 19 times against Arsenal, including the last 7 matches with a total score of 21-4.

However, Arsenal’s only two wins against Pep Guardiola’s Man City took place at Wembley Stadium, in the semi-finals of the 2017 and 2020 FA Cups. Furthermore, only one Premier League winner has won in 12. the last English Super Cup match. Last year, it was Man City who proved that “catch” when losing to Liverpool.

Man City entered the match with doubts about the number 1 passer Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian star did not play a minute in pre-season due to a hamstring injury he sustained in last season’s Champions League final.

According to statistics, De Bruyne has been involved in 8 goals in the last 8 times against Arsenal in all competitions (6 goals, 2 assists), including 5 goals in the last 2 matches. The 32-year-old also contributed to 6 goals in Man City’s last 8 matches at Wembley Stadium (1 goal, 5 assists). If the Belgian star does not recover in time, Arsenal will be less of a danger.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will be without the services of striker Gabriel Jesus because of a knee injury. However, coach Arteta still has alternatives such as Trossard, Havertz or Nketiah. In general, Arsenal’s youthful squad is still undervalued compared to the experienced stars on the Man City side.

Predict the score: Arsenal 1-2 Man City

Probable teams

Arsenal: Ramsdale; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Here; Stones, Rodri; Silva, Foden, Kovacic, Grealish; Haaland

Force information

Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus knee injury; Bukayo Saka, Oleksandr Zinchenko left open the possibility of playing.

Man City: Kevin De Bruyne hamstring injury; Nathan Ake is not sure to play.