Manchester City vs. Arsenal: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info and Ticket News
Manchester City face perhaps their most important Premier League fixture of the season on Sunday when they take on Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday, are just one point above rivals Manchester United in the race for a top-four place.
A win over Arsenal would almost guarantee Champions League football again next season when Pep Guardiola arrives; defeat would likely have disastrous consequences.
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Arsenal, whose own season has been underwhelming, are three points ahead of City in third, but need a win to guarantee themselves third place and a top-four finish for the 20th year in succession.
Sunday’s game will be the last time Pellegrini leads City out at the Etihad, and he said it will be an emotional occasion:
"It's a special game because we finish here at home after three intensive years.”
“We've always received support of the fans, so we're really happy with them.
"For me, the second season was the worst—if we can finish in third in this third season it wouldn't be extraordinary but still a good season.
"I will have emotions on Sunday, but I prefer not to show them in an external way."
Date: Sunday, May 8
Kick-off: 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET
TV Listings: Sky Sports 1/HD (UK) and NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK)
"24 hours until #cityvafc! If you're not coming to the Etihad, here's how to watch!
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) May 7, 2016"
👉 https://t.co/UgTFqk2mXN #mcfc pic.twitter.com/C7qbT7HZxS
Form Guide
Manchester City
Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester City (Champions League)
Southampton 4-2 Manchester City
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)
Manchester City 4-0 Stoke City
Newcastle United 1-1 Manchester City
"Tomorrow : City vs Arsenal#MCFC #PremierLeague #EverStronger pic.twitter.com/BnNG6WOmhR
— Eliaquim Mangala (@Elia22Mangala) May 7, 2016"
Arsenal
Arsenal 1-0 Norwich City
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 West Brom
Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
West Ham United 3-3 Arsenal
"Some top City goals scored against Arsenal at the Etihad down the years. Fancy some more tomorrow? #cityvafc #mcfc https://t.co/NVnUvB4tWa
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) May 7, 2016"
Predicted Formations
Manchester City
Vincent Kompany is out after suffering his fifth injury of the season in the defeat to Real Madrid. Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva are also out.
Manchester City (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Clichy, Demichelis, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, De Bruyne, Delph, Fernandinho, Fernando, Nasri, Navas, Toure, Celina, A Garcia, M Garcia, Aguero, Bony, Iheanacho, Sterling.
Predicted XI: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy; Fernandinho, Toure; Navas, Iheanacho, De Bruyne; Aguero.
Arsenal
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is out with a knee injury and will miss this summer's European Championships. Per Mertesacker is out with a hamstring problem.
Arsenal (from): Cech, Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Gabriel, Gibbs, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Cazorla, Coquelin, Elneny, Flamini, Ozil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Wilshere, Campbell, Giroud, Sanchez, Walcott, Welbeck.
Predicted X: Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Coqeulin, Wilshere; Sanchez, Ozil, Iwobi; Welbeck.
"Is this @ThierryHenry strike your favourite #MCFCvAFC goal? Watch our top five and vote: https://t.co/KFfARpLnVGhttps://t.co/fl3DwDsg6U
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 7, 2016"
Players To Watch
Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne
One of the biggest disappointments of City's defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday was the performance of Kevin De Bruyne.
Very little came off for the Belgian. His passing was poor, and he just couldn't influence the game in the way we know he can.
It's unusual to see him so ineffectual. He is wonderful player, City's most creative this season, particularly since his return from injury in March.
More often than not, if City produce quality, he is central to it.
Arsenal: Mesut Ozil
In much the same way De Bruyne is the hub of City's creativity, Mesut Ozil is the man to make Arsenal tick.
He has registered 18 assists in 34 league games this season, the most in the Premier League and five ahead of second-placed Christian Eriksen.
It's a remarkable level of productivity that makes him the man to stop to minimise Arsenal's quality going forward.
Key Battle: Sergio Aguero vs. Gabriel
With Per Mertersacker out injured, Gabriel will play at the heart of the Arsenal defence.
He is yet to convince anyone he can be a top-quality Premier League defender, and with Sergio Aguero looking to win the Golden Boot, it could be an area where the game is won or lost.
Aguero underwhelmed on Wednesday, but he is an outstanding striker, whose pace and movement is likely to trouble Gabriel.
Ticket Information
For ticket information on all Premier League games, visit the official site or go to the ticket page on the home club's official website.
"The boss discusses what @PetrCech has brought to @Arsenal, and more in our #MCFCvAFC preview https://t.co/fL9hBzTLPXhttps://t.co/yXV9dAthgE
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 7, 2016"
Odds
Manchester City: +105
Arsenal: +264
Draw: +226
(via Odds Shark)
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard.
