LUTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri and David Raya of Arsenal board the team flight to Portugal ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC at Luton Airport on November 25, 2024 in Luton, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Raya starts, Lewis-Skelly picked and Nwaneri's big moment - Arsenal predicted XI vs Man City
David Raya and Ethan Nwaneri are both predicted to start for Arsenal in their Premier League match against Manchester City
The magnitude of this Arsenal fixture has perhaps not been allowed the build-up it deserves with the chaos of the transfer window and the Champions League drama reaching a first-phase conclusion. Manchester City and the relationship between the two sides, managers and players has created a rivalry which could come to a head this Sunday.
There are, however, some big questions ahead of the game including the fitness of some key places such as David Raya. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are not yet back, but there was a chance for the squad to get some rest as rotation was allowed against Girona.
Arteta has to get the selection right with the importance of the match being lost on absolutely no one. With that in mind, here is the football.london predicted line-up for the clash with Girona.
David Raya
Despite questions over the keeper's fitness, I do think that David Raya will be in the team and in the starting line-up for the clash on Sunday afternoon. His presence is huge, especially considering the performance of Neto on Wednesday.(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Having been rested for a half against Girona, Jurrien Timber is perhaps in the freshest state to enter the weekend clash with Man City than he ever has been for the Gunners, and that will hopefully see a top performance once again.
These are the games where Arsenal's big players have to step up and William Saliba has time and time again to show he is indeed capable of doing that. With some added reinforcements for the visiting side, he will be facing some new tests.(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
The battle between Gabriel and Erling Haaland enters a new chapter. The pair have been facing off against one another for a couple of seasons now and each match seems to bring with it new levels of drama - let's hope this one favours the Gunners.(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The choice between Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly was an extremely tough one. Both have their merits, but Lewis-Skelly has earned the respect and appreciation of Arteta and that is why I think he will be chosen on Sunday.(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Thankfully, Thomas Partey will not be at right-back at the weekend, and his presence back in the midfield will be very important to the club's chances of getting the desired result.(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
It is for these games why you spend more than £100million on a player. Declan Rice can move back into the No.8 role and his deliveries from set-pieces are sure to be key to the Gunners' chances as well as his performance in the middle third.(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Admittedly the club captain has not been in his best form this season with plenty of things out of his control. Here is the chance to re-establish himself as one of the best players in the side on the biggest possible stage.(Image: Getty)
Like Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri has been excellent in the performances we have seen from him. Goals in the Premier League and Champions League have elevated him to a level where he has earned the start in this massive clash.(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Leandro Trossard has been a much more impactful figure from the bench while Gabriel Martinelli's form from the beginning of matches has been stronger and better of late. He also got a near-full rest in midweek whereas the Belgian started to therefore the Brazilian comes in again.(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
A goal for Kai Havertz against Manchester City would be such a boost to his confidence and quieten the persistent scrutiny for, well maybe a week. The talk of strikers will continue after the match and into transfer deadline day, that is for sure.(Image: Luka Stanzl/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images)