Martinelli and Eze decisions made as Saliba starts - Arsenal line-up vs Man City

Arsenal go head-to-head with Manchester City in a crunch Premier League showdown at the Emirates Stadium this weekend. It's a game that needs no introduction, given Mikel Arteta's history with Pep Guardiola.

The Gunners' manager worked under Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium before replacing Unai Emery as manager in north London. City got the better of Arsenal to win the title in 2022/23 and 2023/24, but they struggled last year, with Liverpool claiming the crown. The fallen giants have endured a stuttering start this season, too.

Arteta's side already boast a three-point lead over their rivals, but they know getting a win on Sunday won't be easy. And the manager has plenty of decisions to make - namely, whether to start Gabriel Martinelli following his heroics in the 2-0 win over Athletic Club in the Champions League.

With that in mind, we put it to our football.london writers to provide their line-ups for the match. Read who they have gone for below:

Tom Canton

Mikel Arteta spoke of how Mikel Merino had been selected against Nottingham Forest due to his emotional and form-boosting performances for Spain during the international break. After his display against Athletic Club, it makes sense, therefore, for Gabriel Martinelli to come in against Manchester City.

Eberechi Eze then moves into the central attacking midfield role to cover for the still-injured Martin Odegaard, whom Arteta confirmed had not yet trained as of Friday. William Saliba might be back, but with no football played since his injury against Liverpool, I would still lean on Cristhian Mosquera to play the right centre-half role.

Everywhere else, there is little need for change. This is a side that has yet to concede a goal from open play in their first five games. There is, this time, little to say other than if it is not broke, do not try to fix it at the risk of causing an upset.

Canton's Arsenal XI vs Man City: Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.

Matt Maltby

Arteta certainly has a selection headache heading into this mouth-watering clash following Gabriel Martinelli's heroics in the Champions League win over Athletic Club.

And despite Eberechi Eze impressing in last weekend's win over Nottingham Forest, he struggled in the European clash and didn't really have an impact. Martinelli then came on, and 36 seconds later, he grabbed himself a goal!

The assist for Leandro Trossard was impressive too, and I'd start him over Eze on the left against City. Madueke gets the nod on the right with Gyokeres through the middle as the main man.

In terms of midfield, I'd go for a three-man shield of Zubimendi, Rice and Merino. The Gunners need to keep it tight in the middle of the park, and these three will do that, with Rice and Merino given the chance to roam forward when required.

With Ben White still struggling with injury, Timber should remain at right-back, Calafiori gets the nod ahead of Lewis-Skelly and, perhaps the boldest decision, is to give Saliba a start. The Frenchman might still be struggling with an injury, but he was on the bench in the win over Athletic Club and Arteta needs him for this match.

Maltby's Arsenal XI vs Man City: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

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