A glimmer for Arsenal as Martin Odegaard darts away with the ball after Bruno Fernandes gives it away.

But the Arsenal skipper cannot find the run of Gabriel Martinelli with an attempted through ball.

A sighter for Gabriel Martinelli, cutting inside of Aaron Wan-Bissaka but blazing his curler way wide.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Etihad Stadium

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed Phil Foden missed today's game with a foot injury he initially picked up in the Manchester derby defeat at Old Trafford last week.

"He jumped with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and had a problem with his foot.

"It has been a bit up and down and is a tittle bit uncomfortable so we decided with the doctors to rest it.

"See if he arrives against Arsenal."

City play Arsenal in the FA Cup on Friday.

Dennis Ethan: Scintillating passing football from Arsenal.

Mads Knudsen: So excited for this game, exciting bubbly feel to it this time. You never want to lose a game like this, but this is just that little bit bigger than usual.

Bruno Fernandes latches on to a throughball, gets to the ball ahead of Aaron Ramsdale and goes down.

He wants a penalty, the referee Anthony Taylor says no and so does VAR.

Just a warning sign for Arsenal there.

Image source, Getty Images

Confidence oozing through the veins of every Arsenal player, you can just see it with the touches and composure on the ball.

Brazil international Gabriel Martinelli is up against Aaron Wan-Bissaka today and that will be one of many fascinating battles out on that pitch today.

Remember when they used to call this stadium a library?

It's a cauldron of noise now.

Are United intimidated?

Arsenal have come flying out of the traps.

Martin Odegaard finds the run of Thomas Partey towards the near post, but the Ghanaian flicks wide.

Martin Odegaard's shot on the swivel is blocked.

Another corner for Arsenal.

But Gabriel Martinelli's delivery is poor, cleared at the front post by Bruno Fernandes.

Tell you what, it's a terrific atmosphere at the Emirates.

Blistering start from Arsenal, winning a corner in the first minute.

Off we go in this massive, top-of-the-table encounter in the capital.

All very cordial before kick-off.

No spats or ignoring of handshakes, no need for the referee to intervene over anything.

"Ar-senal, Ar-senal," chant the home fans.

The two sides are in the tunnel.

Luke Shaw has just squared up to Ben White and screamed: "I'LL SEE YOU OUT THERE!"***

(***may not be true)

London Calling is pumping out over the speakers.

And what a clash we have on hour hands this evening.

How do you see it going?

Manchester United royalty in attendance at the Emirates.

Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham are both here.

Manchester United

Image source, .

Bill Rice, BBC Radio Manchester

What a week for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United. First they steamrollered their way into the title race with a 2-1 win over Manchester City in the derby, only to see their winning run halted by a late Crystal Palace equaliser on Wednesday.

Now they go to the leaders Arsenal, hoping to blow the race wide open with a win - although they will have to do it without inspirational midfielder Casemiro, who picked up a fifth yellow card at Selhurst Park and a subsequent one-game suspension.

Not that the Brazilian's absence concerns his manager too much.

"Last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro. This time we'll have to do the same," he said.

The Reds are the only team to beat Mikel Arteta's side in the league this season, so if they could do the double over them it would be not just a statement of their own abilities, but open up the race to lift the title.

Belief is growing United are ready to return to challenging for - and winning - major trophies.

Ten Hag does acknowledge, though, that Arsenal are top of the table for a reason.

"It is obvious they are in a really good run and I think they deserve the position where they are now," he said. "It is a really good structure, how they play. It is a really good mentality and a winning attitude in the team. That is why they are top of the list."

This one feels huge, doesn't it?

Just to see where both sides are at and how serious they look this season.

Rachel Corsie
Scotland and Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

At the very very top level, the difference that your coach can make can be crucial. One of the things I value in [Mikel] Arteta is the language that he uses is very particular and that is something that I'm hugely impressed by.

I know that psychologically, the language that you use every day not just in press conferences that we see, but I get the feeling that in all his team meetings, when he is on the pitch, what he asks of the rest of his coaching staff, the detail in that is crucial.