Arsenalvs.Man City

The Spaniard was an unexpected absentee from the Gunners' 2-1 Champions League win over Girona in midweek after picking up a muscle problem.

However, Raya is one of seven changes made to Mikel Arteta's starting lineup, with Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba also returning to the defence, the latter of whom will partner Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back.

The return of Timber at right-back is set to see Thomas Partey move into midfield alongside Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli are both recalled to join Leandro Trossard - who was sent off in the 2-2 draw with Man City in September last year - in a three-man attack.

Meanwhile, this afternoon's game will come too soon for defender Ben White, who recently returned to training and is on the cusp of making his long-awaited comeback from knee surgery.

Ortega, Savinho, Marmoush recalled to Man City XI

As for Man City, Pep Guardiola has made a total of three changes to the side that beat Club Brugge 3-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Stefan Ortega returns in goal at the expense of Ederson, who is left out of the matchday squad, while a back four of Matheus Nunes, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol remains intact.

Abdukodir Khusanov, who endured a difficult Premier League debut against Chelsea last weekend, is among the substitutes for the Citizens along with fellow new signing Vitor Reis, but attacker Omar Marmoush has been recalled by Guardiola.

Marmoush, who was ineligible for City's midweek fixture in Europe along with Khusanov and Reis, impressed on his debut against Chelsea and is expected to link up in attack with Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Savinho, who is also recalled after starring as a substitute against Club Brugge.

Man City's midfield will see Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva link arms, meaning that Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne drop down to the substitutes' bench, the latter of whom has scored more goals (eight) against Arsenal than any other opponent in his career.

Arsenal starting lineup: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard

Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Tierney, Jorginho, Merino, Sterling, Nwaneri

Manchester City starting lineup: Ortega; Nunes, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Bernardo; Savinho, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland

Subs: Carson, Grealish, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Reis, Khusanov, O'Reilly, Lewis, McAtee

Written by

Oliver Thomas