Manchester City and Arsenal meet at the Etihad on Wednesday in what could easily be considered the biggest match of this entire Premier League campaign.
With a razor-thin margin between the two title contenders atop the Premier League table, this match is likely to prove a decisive twist in the championship race.
Arsenal hold a five-point lead atop the standings, but as Man City have two games in hand, the Gunners must win on Wednesday to control their own destiny across their five remaining matches.
City, meanwhile, can put themselves in the driver’s seat with a win or draw, as Pep Guardiola eyes his fifth Premier League title of the last six seasons.
The Gunners come into this huge game having slipped to three straight draws, which has allowed City back into the thick of the race despite trailing for much of the campaign. City, meanwhile, hold all the momentum, having won six straight league games coming into this match. City also have the edge in terms of recent history between these two clubs, having downed Arsenal for 13 straight Premier League meetings.
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Manchester City seem to have the advantage entering Wednesday’s crucial matchup.
Can Arsenal get a result?#MCIARS pic.twitter.com/dNLAVmXG0l
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 24, 2023
How to watch Man City vs Arsenal in USA
- Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2023
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- TV channel: —
- Streaming: Peacock
The Premier League rights-holders in the USA, NBC Sports, have opted to make the Man City vs. Arsenal match available exclusively on its subscription-based streaming platform Peacock.
On the call will be NBC’s lead commentator Peter Drury, who will be alongside his broadcast partner Lee Dixon for the English-language commentary.
Man City vs Arsenal lineups, team news
The only Man City player sidelined for this match is defender Nathan Ake who went down with a hamstring problem in the second half of the win over Bayern Munich in Champions League action. Otherwise, Pep Guardiola’s side has a completely clean bill of health, a huge advantage in the title race.
Man City projected starting lineup (3-2-4-1): Ederson (GK) — Akanji, Dias, Laporte — Stones, Rodri — Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish — Haaland.
The injury situation for Arsenal is far more worrying, as there are questions whether William Saliba will return at all this season. The Gunners’ back line has been leaky with Rob Holding in his place. There’s also uncertainty over the status of in-form midfielder Granit Xhaka, which would be a huge loss for Arsenal. Takehiro Tomiyasu is recovering from a knee injury, as is Mohamed Elneny.
Arsenal projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale (GK) — White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko — Odegaard, Partey, Vieira — Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Man City vs Arsenal betting odds
Given the current form of both clubs, there’s no surprise that the home team is the massive favourite in this match.
Arsenal have slumped to three straight draws, allowing Man City right back in the race. In fact, City are such favourites that the handicap is all the way up to 1.5 goals.
Goals are also forecast in this match, as should be expected in a match featuring two clubs with title-worthy attacking firepower.
| Man City win |
Draw | Arsenal win |
Both teams to score Y / N |
Over / Under 2.5 goals |
MCI -1.5 |
ARS +1.5 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) |
-185 | +340 | +450 | -150 / +105 | -185 / +130 | +135 | -190 |