[Teams] Arsenal vs Manchester City: Saliba returns, Saka on the couch

Arsenal will be looking for an early statement in the Premier League title race when they compete against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

Mikel Arteta handed over a recall to William Saliba after he returned from an injury with an unused replacement appearance on Tuesday evening. Chrithian Mosquera will feel a pity to stop if he performed excellently in the absence of Saliba.

Gabriel Magalhaes holds his place in the heart of the defense of Arsenal, while Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori take up the full-back positions. That means that Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White have to settle for places on the couch.

Martin Zubimendi anchores midfield with Mikel Merino and Declan Rice accompany him in the middle of the park. Bukayo Saka is back in the fold after repairing a hamstring injury, but he is only considered fit enough for a place on the couch with the in-shape Noni Madueke who holds his place on the right flank.

Viktor Gyokers starts in the front for Arsenal, while Leandro Trossard is recalled to start on the left wing after he had made an impact of the couch against Athletic Bilbao. Despite his impressive cameo on Tuesday evening, Gabriel Martinelli has to do with a place on the couch together with Ebereechi Eze.

As far as man City is concerned, Ruben Dias starts with Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly and Abdukodir Khusanov. Rodri anchores midfield with Bernardo Silva and Tijani Reijnders who offer support.

Erling Haaland leads the city attack with Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden on the wings. Savinho must settle for a place among the replacements this afternoon.

Here are the confirmed line-ups:

Arsenal

Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Merino, Zubimendi, Rice, Hikeke, Gyökeres, Trossard

Subs: Arrizabala, Mosquera, White, Lewis-Skelly, Nøergard, Nwanger, Saka, Martinelli

Man

Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Foden, Reijnders, Doku, Haaland

Subs: Trafford, Stones, What, Lewis, Gonzalez, Nune, Bobb, Mukas, Savinho