Expect Arsenal to line up in their usual 4-3-3, with Raya in goal behind a back four of White, Mosquera, Gabriel and Hincapie. Guimaraes anchors the midfield alongside Lewis-Skelly, with Odegaard pulling the strings further forward. Havertz leads the line, flanked by Madueke and Tzolis. This is a side built to press high and play through the lines — but they will need to be careful not to leave gaps behind Gabriel's aggressive positioning.

City, under Maresca, are expected to stick with a 4-3-3 of their own — but with a twist. Donnarumma in goal, a back four of Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Gvardiol and O'Reilly. In midfield, Anderson and Kovacic will sit deep, with Foden given license to roam. Doku and Semenyo provide width, Haaland the focal point. Without Rodri, City lose some of that metronomic control — but they gain energy. Kovacic is more mobile, Anderson more direct. This is a City side that wants to transition quickly, not suffocate you.

The midfield battle is where this will be won. Guimaraes vs Kovacic is a proper dogfight — two players who want to dictate tempo but do it in completely different ways. Arsenal will try to press City high and force errors; City will try to play through that press with quick, sharp combinations. The wide areas are fascinating too: Doku vs White is a mismatch waiting to happen if White is left isolated, while Madueke vs Gvardiol is a battle of power vs pace. Set pieces could be decisive — Arsenal have Gabriel and Havertz, City have Dias and Gvardiol. Both teams are dangerous from dead balls.

Expect a tight, tactical game. Early-season legs are not quite there yet, and neither manager will want to lose this. The game state will likely be cautious — probing, not committing. A single moment of quality, or a set-piece, could decide it.