Arsenal vs Man City Match preview

Arsenal host Manchester City at the Emirates in a heavyweight Premier League clash on Sunday, February 2, 2025.

The match will kick off at 16:30 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City is the highlight of the weekend’s Premier League fixtures as the two sides aim to close in on Liverpool at the top of the table. 

On Saturday, Nottingham Forest face Brighton, Ipswich host Southampton, Fulham go to Newcastle, Liverpool are at Bournemouth, Everton entertain Leicester and Wolves welcome Aston Villa. 

Sunday sees games between Manchester United and Crystal Palace and Brentford and Tottenham, while there is the bonus of a London derby between Chelsea and West Ham on Monday night.

Tip 1 – Over 2.5 goals @ 8/11

Manchester City still looked a little vulnerable defensively in last weekend’s 3-1 success over Chelsea, but Pep Guardiola’s side are back in the groove going forward and that can lead to goals at the Emirates. 

City have seen 37 goals scored in their last seven matches, and while they face an excellent side in Arsenal, the Gunners are depleted at the back. 

Myles Lewis-Skelly has had his ban overturned, but there is still no Ben White at right-back and William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori have only recently returned from injury.

 Tip 2 – Mateo Kovacic 3+ Foul Involvements @ 7/4

Mateo Kovacic has been shown five yellow cards, committed 18 fouls and won only 57% of the tackles he has attempted in the Premier League this season. 

Those figures have come from 17 top-flight starts, but clearly the majority of those matches were against opposition far below the level of Arsenal. 

Manchester City are likely to be asked to cope with plenty of defensive work against the Gunners and Kovacic’s shortcomings could be exposed. 

Jurrien Timber to score at any time @ 14/1

Jurrien Timber’s defensive work has been seriously impressive this season, but the Dutchman can also offer plenty going forward.

The full-back has scored only one Premier League goal this term, but the 23-year-old has registered 11 shots, eight from inside the box, and the former Ajax defender certainly carries a threat. 

Arsenal’s set-piece proficiency has been there for all to see and it would be no surprise if Timber cut through City’s defence.