Manchester City 9-2 Arsenal: Pep Guardiola’s side thrash Gunners in our one-sided combined XI

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Which Arsenal ace joins Alexis Sanchez in this City-dominated XI?

Manchester City host Arsenal this weekend in what would normally be considered a close game between two Premier League title contenders.

However, the way things have started this season, it could be rather one-sided as league leaders City look to continue their superb start to the campaign.

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City go into the game nine points ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal, who have rarely looked convincing at any point this term, despite a bit of a recovery from a nightmare start.

Few will be giving Arsene Wenger’s side much hope of even taking a point at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday, and our best effort at a combined XI of the two sides reflects the growing gulf between them…

GK: With Petr Cech past his best, it’s an easy win for City shot-stopper Ederson, who has started superbly for his new club since a big-money summer move from Benfica.

RB: Another successful summer purchase by City, Kyle Walker gets in at right-back as we’re yet to really see the best from Hector Bellerin so far this term, even if the Spaniard is arguably capable of being better when he hits top form.

LB: Just one of two Arsenal players in the team, Sead Kolasinac has been immense since his free transfer from Schalke in the summer, while City are yet to have a settled left-back, with Fabian Delph and Danilo sharing responsibilities during Benjamin Mendy’s time out injured.

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CB: John Stones has shown remarkable improvement this season and fully deserves his place in this XI, even if there’s not much in the way of competition from Arsenal.

CB: Little surprise then that Nicolas Otamendi takes the second centre-back spot, with the Argentine also looking more settled into Guardiola’s system this year.

DM: Few might’ve expected Fernandinho to still be a key player for City after an up-and-down few years at the club, but the Brazilian enforcer has stepped it up a gear this term and looks an important part of how Guardiola likes his side to play.

AM: In a slightly odd formation tailored towards cramming in as many attacking players as possible, we’ve gone for the easy pick of Kevin De Bruyne in a central attacking midfield role. The Belgian has been one of the stars of this season so far, and will be one to watch for Arsenal this weekend.

AM: Raheem Sterling has really come to life this term and is currently City’s top scorer with ten goals. Having scored against Arsenal last season, the England international is sure to be a major threat again in Sunday’s game.

AM: One of the most exciting young players in Europe, Leroy Sane has also taken his game to a new level this season after a year of settling in in 2016/17. On current form, he certainly justifies keeping out his fellow German Mesut Ozil.

CF: The second Arsenal player to make it in, Alexis Sanchez has been linked with City for much of the last year and the Daily Mirror still claim he’s a target for them on a free next summer, so this kind of partnership could be a reality before too long.

CF: Sergio Aguero is now City’s all-time leading goalscorer and an obvious choice in this XI, even if it’s extremely harsh on Gabriel Jesus, who has also been excellent so far this season.

Manchester City and Arsenal combined XI in full:

More Stories Alexis Sanchez Arsene Wenger Ederson Fernandinho John Stones Kevin De Bruyne Kyle Walker Leroy Sane Nicolas Otamendi Pep Guardiola Raheem Sterling Sead Kolasinac Sergio Aguero