Arsenal have confirmed their team to face Manchester City at the Etihad, with Martin Odegaard back in the starting lineup as Mikel Arteta names a strong side for a match that could have a major bearing on the Premier League title race.
Arsenal have confirmed their starting XI for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Manchester City, with Martin Odegaard returning to the side for one of the biggest games left in the title race.
David Raya starts in goal behind a back four of Cristhian Mosquera, William Saliba, Gabriel and Piero Hincapie. In midfield, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are joined by Eberechi Eze and Odegaard, while Noni Madueke supports Kai Havertz in attack.
Arsenal XI vs Manchester City: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Odegaard, Madueke; Havertz.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, White, Jesus, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Norgaard, Trossard, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.
The team news means Odegaard is back, his first match since Arsenal's loss to Southampton in the FA Cup. His return is one of the standout features of the lineup, particularly in a fixture where Arsenal are likely to need control and composure in possession as well as defensive discipline out of it.
There is also a start for Havertz, who leads the line at the Etihad ahead of Gyokeres. Eze keeps his place and continues in an advanced midfield role, starting on the left wing, while Madueke is fit enough to start despite being forced off in the second leg against Sporting.
Defensively, Arteta sticks with Saliba and Gabriel at centre-back, with Mosquera and Hincapie again asked to fill the full-back roles. That gives Arsenal a back line with plenty of physical presence, but also one that will be tested by Manchester City’s movement, pressing and speed high up the pitch.
The bench gives Arteta several different options if the game changes in the second half. Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard offer attacking alternatives, while Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly provide cover further back. Viktor Gyokeres is also among the substitutes, giving Arsenal another central option if they need a different attacking profile later in the game.
The names missing from the starting side are also notable. Bukayo Saka does not feature after being ruled out in the build-up, while the inclusion of Odegaard from the start is likely to be seen as a major boost in his place. With six league matches left after this one and City still Arsenal’s closest challengers, Arteta has clearly gone strong for a match that could reshape the title race.
For Arsenal, the selection reflects both the scale of the occasion and the quality still available despite the absentees. The challenge now is to make that lineup count against the team chasing them hardest.