A battle between the top two pits the unstoppable force in City’s in-form striker Erling Haaland against the immovable object in Arsenal’s obturate defence.
Haaland has struck a Premier League record nine times in the opening four games of the season.
But Arsenal have only conceded once, when down to 10 men against Brighton, and kept clean sheets already away at Aston Villa and Tottenham.
The top two in each of the past two seasons already occupy those positions once more.
“It’s another unbelievable team that defend really well,” said City boss Pep Guardiola. “They don’t concede chances, they don’t concede goals. In many aspects they control everything.
“Was the biggest challenge for the title the last two seasons, they are there and will be there for many years because they created a depth of squad and a young team.”
City are the only side with a perfect 12 points so far, but a depleted Arsenal made sure they are only two points behind by grinding out a 1-0 victory over Spurs in last weekend’s north London derby.
The Gunners are set to be missing captain Martin Odegaard once more due to an ankle injury but can welcome back Declan Rice from suspension.
City are also set to be without their creative hub as Kevin De Bruyne limped out of Wednesday’s 0-0 Champions League draw against Inter Milan.
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