Man City vs Arsenal: Gunners dominate title showdown combined XI
Manchester City host Arsenal in a title showdown at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon. Here, we've put together our combined XI with the Gunners dominating the side with seven players to City's four.
After a rocky start, David Raya has started to shine between the Arsenal sticks and he's now kept more clean sheets (9) than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season. With a WhoScored rating of 6.57, Raya the first of seven Arsenal players in this combined XI.
Ben White is the right-back in this XI having returned a WhoScored rating of 6.85. The Arsenal star has been in very good form of late, with his brace of assists against Brentford last time out helping the Gunners to a crucial 2-1 win prior to the international break.
Manuel Akanji (Manchester City) - 6.79
Having recovered from a knock sustained on international duty, Manuel Akanji is the first Manchester City player to make this side. The Swiss star boasts the fifth best pass success rate (93.4%) in the Premier League this season to edge out William Saliba in the team.
Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal) - 7.04
Partnering Akanji at the heart of the defence is Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes. No defender has scored more goals than the 26-year-old (4) in England's top tier this term, while his influence at the back means Arsenal have conceded fewer goals (24) than any other team.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) - 6.85
Rounding off the backline is former Manchester City man Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has returned a WhoScored rating of 6.85. The Ukraine international has lost his spot in the Gunners starting XI in recent weeks, with Jakub Kiwior now ahead of Zinchenko in the pecking order.
Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) - 7.33
Arsenal skipper Martin Ødegaard has been directly involved in 12 league goals this season, six of which have come in eight games following the Gunners' winter break. That good form this year has helped push Ødegaard's WhoScored rating up to 7.33.
Rodri (Manchester City) - 7.56
Anchoring the midfield in this XI is Manchester City star Rodri, who has earned a WhoScored rating of 7.56 this season. The City pass master ranks top for passes per game (105.4), while a 92.2% pass success rate is the fourth best of central midfielders in the division.
With the Gunners firmly in the hunt for the Premier League title, Declan Rice has been vital for Mikel Arteta's side. The former West Ham man has proven a gamechanging addition to this Arsenal team and that's evidenced by a WhoScored rating of 7.40.
The highest rated player in the Premier League this season, Bukayo Saka is enjoying his best campaign of his career with 13 goals and eight assists contributing to a WhoScored rating of 7.69. Arsenal fans are hoping he's fit to feature at the Etihad today.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 7.39
Unsurprisingly, Erling Haaland leads the attack in this XI having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.39 this season. The Manchester City hitman has scored more goals (18) than any other player and he'll look to add to his tally today.
Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 7.42
Completing the side is Manchester City wing wizard Phil Foden, who has returned a WhoScored rating of 7.42. Foden has scored 11 goals and provided seven assists for Pep Guardiola's side this season and has won more player of the match awards (7) than any other player in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign. The City faithful will back Foden to add to that this afternoon.
