Arsenal could leapfrog Manchester City in an early season showdown for the Premier League title on Sunday.
Arsenal’s dreams of a first Premier League title since 2004 were shattered by City’s strong finish to last season.
That included two victories for Pep Guardiola’s men over the Gunners and Mikel Arteta’s record against his former mentor does not read well.
Arteta has lost all seven league games against Guardiola during his time in charge at the Emirates, with the aggregate score reading a painful 19-3.
Arsenal smashed their transfer record to beat City to the signing of Declan Rice with the aim of wrestling the title away from Manchester.
And City gave the contenders to their crown a huge boost when the champions suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by Wolves last weekend.
But the Gunners could be without the talismanic talent of Bukayo Saka for Sunday’s clash.
The England winger, who has started 87 consecutive league games, limped out of the midweek Champions League defeat by Lens.
City are also without one of their key men as Rodri completes a three-game ban for his red card against Nottingham Forest last month.
