Controversial Man City transfer could make difference in Arsenal battle

Manchester City will go head-to-head with Arsenal and their squad is coming into form at the right time ahead of a crucial game

At the beginning of the season, it was widely accepted that Arsenal had built a better squad than Manchester City. Having gone so close to the title in recent years, the North London club were busy in the summer buying players that could bulk out their squad and make them stronger in all competitions.

There was hope that Viktor Gyokeres would be the No.9 they had been waiting for and Martin Zubimendi the midfield controller, but on top of that Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard were all brought in from Premier League clubs to add competition, while Piero Hincapie and Christhian Mosquera added even more options for a backline that was already the most formidable in the division.

It has largely played out that way, with Arsenal going further than any other English club in the pursuit of four trophies and still in with a decent chance with the two biggest: the Premier League and the Champions League. It is only two months since Arsenal super fan Piers Morgan declared: "I'm not claiming we have the best starting XI ever, I'm saying our 25-man Premier League squad is man-for-man the strongest in world club football history."

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City, by their own admission, have been in transition over the last two seasons. They have spent close to £450m in the three most recent transfer windows but much of that has been on younger, untested talent that is designed to have their peak years ahead of them.

Two transfers they have made this January have made a big impact in terms of levelling up the squad, with Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi arriving for a combined £82.5m as proven players that have instantly improved not just the group but the City XI. Semenyo is a contender for the Premier League player of the year, while Guehi will go to the World Cup as England's most reliable defender.

At least one if not both will start against Arsenal on Sunday in what looks and feels like a title decider, although another decisive factor in the success of both teams this season could be one of City's controversial signings. Gianluigi Donnarumma was not seen by some as a Pep Guardiola player when he joined in September 2025 and his arrival also pushed James Trafford down to No.2 when the City academy graduate had only just returned to the club.

Donnarumma has not got the ability with his feet that either Trafford has or Ederson had at the club, yet his other qualities have helped City this season. There have been key saves in big away wins such as Brentford, Liverpool and Chelsea, and he was key to the side settling with a big first week in the job in matches against United, Napoli and Arsenal.

Trafford has also made his mark though, staying professional in training and taking all the chances that have come his way in the cup competitions. At Wembley last month, Trafford made an excellent triple save early in the Carabao Cup final before Kepa wilted under pressure as City won the battle of the No.2 goalkeepers hands down.

Some Arsenal fans were convinced that David Raya would solve all of the problems that City caused them at Wembley, only he was back in goal at the weekend and Bournemouth used similar tactics in their shock win at the Emirates. Donnarumma returned to the City team at Stamford Bridge and was very good from start to finish, showing why he is the No.1 pick despite the popularity that Trafford holds.

And the Italian will keep his place for Sunday's game, for the same reasons. These are exactly the kind of games that Guardiola wants to call on the goalkeeper's experience and pedigree for the big occasion.

City's situation with their goalkeepers isn't one that is sustainable. Trafford is too good not to be playing regularly and will have plenty of interest in him this summer from clubs who are willing to pay good money for him if the Blues can't offer him what he wants.

But it has already helped Guardiola's side to silverware ahead of Arsenal this season and could be vital again as the two teams go head to head in the Premier League. Arsenal still have the better squad, yet City's goalkeepers could make the difference again.