Manchester City

Two title hopefuls meet at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal look to continue their recent excellent record against rivals Manchester City. BBC Sport takes a look at the key talking points going into Sunday's game.

After a run of just two wins in 22 Premier League matches against City, the Gunners have mastered how to rattle Pep Guardiola's side of late, with two wins at the Emirates and two away draws in their past four encounters.

After thrashing them 5-1 in February, Arsenal now have the chance to secure back-to-back top-flight wins over City for the first time since December 2015.

The Gunners continued their strong start to the season with a hard-fought Champions League win at Athletic Club on Tuesday. To highlight their increased squad strength, five of their eight new summer signings started, while the two goals came from substitutes of the calibre of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Joining them on the bench in Bilbao were the likes of William Saliba, Christian Norgaard, Miles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri. "The 'finishers' are going to be more important this season sometimes than the starters," Arteta says of the impact he hopes his substitutes will have. "We can change the game there, especially with the intensity that we play and teams start to drop off."

An enlarged squad naturally gives Arteta a headache of who to select and one of the key areas he will be keen to address is a perceived lack of creativity in big games. This was again exposed in their 1-0 defeat at Liverpool last month, during which they mustered just one shot on target.

Manchester City came through their reunion with Kevin de Bruyne and his Napoli side unscathed.

The next challenge for Guardiola is to rectify their poor form against Arsenal.

He has never gone five games without a top-flight league win against an opponent, while his protegee Arteta could also become the first manager to go five league matches unbeaten against Guardiola.

Another thing that needs addressing is City's form post European fixtures.

They have lost five of their past seven matches that have immediately followed a midweek Champions League match, including their 5-1 hammering at the Emirates last season.

Their previous five such defeats came over a period of 46 games across five years.

The Gunners, who played on Tuesday, have also had two days extra rest on City.

With four goals in six Premier League appearances against Arsenal, City will again look towards talisman Erling Haaland for inspiration, especially given how well he has begun the season for club and country.

"Erling has been incredible since the start, but this season he is better than ever," Guardiola said last week. "I would say better than the Treble year [2022-23]."

Against Napoli, he scored his 50th goal on his 49th Champions League appearance, reaching the milestone in at least 13 appearances fewer than any other player in the competition's history.

Image source, Getty Images

Wayne Rooney believes a Manchester City win over Arsenal on Saturday would make a "huge statement" so early in the season.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he said: "I think if Manchester City win this game, Arsenal and Liverpool will be looking and thinking that this is not good.

"Obviously with Guardiola's reputation with the titles he's won, the way Manchester City beat Manchester United and then if they go on and beat Arsenal... They have looked a bit indifferent this season and little bit sloppy at times.

"But I think if they go and beat Arsenal at the weekend, I think that's a huge statement to everyone in the league.

"They're still right in the title race, so I think it's a more important game for Manchester City than for Arsenal."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Guardiola said he does not know whether Rodri will be fit enough to start his third game in a week after starting wins over Manchester United and Napoli. The midfielder "didn't feel comfortable" during training on Wednesday but played "extraordinary" in the Champions League so City "will decide" on Sunday".

• On whether Rodri is returning to his highest level of confidence since his ACL injury?: "Not yet. The greatest players I ever trained in my managerial career, what I see is here [in their head]. Here they are incredible, so confident in himself and Rodri is that. But the knee is completely different than how you think. And the knee needs his process. As much as he's patient with that, and we are patient with him, he will be back."

• On how City will spend their two full days before Sunday: "I don't know. 
Tomorrow, recovery. Rest, rest, rest, and the energy for Sunday."

• Reflecting on the 5-1 defeat at Emirates Stadium last season, Guardiola said: "We forgot to do what we had do and after that it was easy for Arsenal. The last 15-20 minutes were a disaster. Hopefully, this season we can make a little bit more challenge."

• Are the difficult spells of last season behind them?:" I know what the people say and it was not good, really. I know my team when it is consistent because when you win six Premier Leagues, it is because you are a machine."

• He recognises how difficult it will be against the Gunners: "It is an unbelievable squad and an unbelievable team. It is one of the toughest opponents you can find now in Europe. Last season in Europe, they made an incredible step forward and for me, they are the most solid team. They don't make mistakes at the back."

• On Arsenal's summer spending: "All I can say is they have been wise. They spent what they believe they can to compete against the best teams in the Premier League and Europe and they've reached that level. So he [Mikel Arteta] found, I think, a team in that way, a club, and step by step, window by window, step by step, Arsenal is getting better."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary of Arsenal v Manchester City on BBC Radio 5 Live from 16:30 BST

Hear more of Guardiola's news conference on BBC Sounds

Emily Brobyn
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

People will, rightfully, be heaping praise on the Norwegian robot, Erling Haaland, after he slayed another goal-scoring record during City's comfortable 2-0 victory against Napoli at Etihad Stadium.

The fastest player ever to reach 50 Champions League goals; getting the job done in 49 games. A colossus up front – a relentless, unforgiving, great white shark of a striker. One sniff of goal and you may as well play the sinister chords of suspense music.

But it was the local lad from Stockport whose symphony struck so sweet.

Phil Foden, who recently admitted to being hurt after seeing the criticism aimed at him after last season, spent the full 90 minutes of the game begging for the ball to his feet.

The 25-year-old was desperate to influence and create. He is one of the best in the world when it comes to working the ball in tight spaces and, when he's in this form, he's mesmerising.

His hard work was rewarded when he ran into space near the edge of the box, quickly turned and instinctively delivered the most delicate of chips through for the monstrous Haaland to head into goal.

This competition is one that Foden has always shone the brightest in: he became the youngest English goal-scorer to score in the knockout stages of the competition back in March 2019 at the age of 18. He's only a goal in this campaign away from having scored in every Champions League season since 2018-19.

It's a stage that Stockport's Foden feels so at home on – whether it be under the bright lights of the Bernabeu or on more familiar turf in East Manchester, it's clear that he has his mojo back. He's enjoying his football again – and we're enjoying watching him just as much.

Emily Brobyn is regularly on BBC Radio Manchester - find all their Man City audio here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Manchester City's Champions League win over 10-man Napoli.

Here are some of your comments:

Said: A super result and a great reception for Kevin de Bruyne. Phil Foden is improving and Jeremy Doku is starting to look like a really dangerous player. Things still look a tad tricky in defence but things seem to be on an upwards trajectory. We still look short of Liverpool but hopefully we will challenge for a top-four place again this season.

Brian: Erling Haaland and Foden look to have reignited their excellent connection on the pitch and that promises one thing for City - goals.

Stanley: I cannot see what Pep Guardiola sees in Rico Lewis. He is a professional coach and I'm a grassroots coach, yet I can see Lewis as a liability. His general play as an inverted full-back creates problems for a fragile defensive setup. He comes in too narrow and delivers nothing through the midfield or going forward.

Phil: A good performance against a tough opponent. I'm going into Sunday's game [against Arsenal] with optimism.

Nick: Playing against 10 men can be just as difficult as against 11 men at times, but City kept calm and were patient. They fully deserved their victory. It was great to see Foden back playing well.

Andy: Ignore us at your peril. Come on City!

• Not a City fan? Find and follow your club here

It has been a while since Phil Foden played a starring role for Manchester City, but boss Pep Guardiola says he is starting to look like "the Phil Foden we know" again.

After being named the Premier League player of the season for the 2023-24 campaign, Foden only registered seven goals and two assists in the league last season.

"You could not imagine how much I missed him," said Guardiola. "The last two games have been the Phil that we know.

"He brings a sense of danger close to the box and he could have scored again

"We are so happy because I know that he is happy and has joy. Life is fine so the rest is natural with his incredible talent."

BBC Sport pundits Nedum Onouha, Nicky Bandini and Nicky Butt look at how Manchester City adjusted the way they played to beat the low block of 10-man Napoli.

Shamoon Hafez
Man City reporter

Pep Guardiola's 17th campaign as manager in this competition began with a win as Manchester City aim to make up for last season's disappointment when they failed to make the top-eight and were knocked out at the play-off stage.

City's recent form in this tournament has been poor, losing five of their past seven games before Napoli.

And they will have felt at times in this contest that they were going to be left frustrated as they saw ex-Manchester United academy man Vanja Milinkovic-Savic repel everything they threw at him.

But with Erling Haaland in their side, City have a player who knows where the back of the net is and seems intent on proving a point, taking his tally to six goals in five club games so far this term.

His headed effort from Phil Foden's glorious pass just before the hour mark drew relief all around the stadium as he comfortably beat Ruud van Nistelrooy's record of reaching 50 goals in 62 matches.

Manchester City's Phil Foden, who assisted Erling Haaland's 50th Champions League goal, speaking to TNT Sports: "They were a nightmare team to breakdown. I thought we were pretty clever and didn't give away too many turnovers.

"The first half was a bit frustrating. I wasn't getting too many touches between the lines. Erling [Haaland] is always going to make that run. It's just about getting that connection.

"He seems to break every record going. It's unheard of what he's doing. What an unbelievable player."

On Kevin de Bruyne's return: "He's a legend of the club. I can't thank him enough for what he has done. He's forever going to be a legend here."

Did you know

• Haaland scored his 50th goal on his 49th appearance in the Champions League, reaching half a century of goals in at least 13 appearances fewer than any other player in the competition's history (Ruud van Nistelrooy - 62 games).

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports: "Yes, it was [a perfect start to the Champions League campaign]. We play a lot of minutes against 10. Italian teams are unbelievable [at defending]. I've faced them many many times in the Champions League. The resilience, the focus...I admire them so much.

"I'm very pleased. It's been a tough week [Manchester derby plus Napoli] and we have an incredibly tough challenge on Sunday [against Arsenal] but we are going there with a good feeling."

On running out of different things to say about Erling Haaland: "Me too."

On Jeremy Doku's goal: "In small spaces, five metres, he is unstoppable. Really, really good."

Hear more from Guardiola on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies

The team news is easy for this game, both sides are unchanged from their league victories at the weekend.

Man City XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Reijnders, Foden, Doku, Haaland.

The returning Kevin de Bruyne starts against his old club for Napoli, while former Manchester United players Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund are also in for the Serie A champions.

Napoli XI: Milinkovic-Savic, Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola, Lobotka, Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay, Hojlund.

There are six games in the Champions League on Thursday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated.

• Club Brugge v Monaco (17:45)

• Copenhagen v Bayer Leverkusen (17:45)

• Eintracht Frankfurt v Galatasaray

• Manchester City v Napoli - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle v Barcelona - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sporting v Kairat Almaty

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Napoli" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Barcelona".

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City are set to welcome back a familiar face, who may return to haunt them, as they begin their Champions League campaign on Thursday.

Kevin de Bruyne won 16 trophies in a decade at City and there are plans to immortalise him with a statue outside Etihad Stadium.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte masterminded Napoli's Scudetto success last season and they have started this campaign in impressive fashion, sitting top of the table again with a 100% record after three games.

"De Bruyne is the fundamental point of Conte's 2.0 project," Naples-based journalist Vincenzo Credendino told BBC Sport. "He has a player that is in the paradise of football players.

"In the last few years, Napoli haven't had a player of De Bruyne's calibre. They have had good young players who were trying to reach the top of football like Victor Osimhen, Edinson Cavani and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

"De Bruyne is technically on another level compared to the other players. He is the only one capable of playing the ball 60 metres with precision. He is an important resource for Conte because he adds something different."

After an emotional send-off from Manchester City, which brought boss Pep Guardiola to tears, the midfielder will be given a hero's welcome on Thursday as he returns to a place he describes as "home".

De Bruyne appears to have fitted in seamlessly at his new residence, scoring two goals in his opening three games, and the City defenders will know first-hand the quality he possesses.

Guardiola said it will be "nice to have him back" and players at De Bruyne's level "don't need that much time to adapt".

"I have spoken to Kevin and have asked him a few things," added Conte. "He has been part of this club for 10 years and has had a great coach like Pep Guardiola.

"He will be excited to be playing but I am hoping after the first whistle he will find his feet and remember that he is playing for Napoli and contribute like he has been doing."

Read the full BBC Sport feature here