ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
As Arsenal start at home for the seventh year running, the Emirates might be the best place to be on Premier League opening weekend for a third season in a row.
Last year the Gunners beat Leicester City 4-3, while in 2016 they lost by the same score to Liverpool… and now it’s another opener that promises goals.
Arsenal should get plenty as the season goes on – in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette they have two of the top seven favourites to be the league’s top scorer -but keeping goals out is Unai Emery’s priority.
That’s an almost impossible task against City, who set out to defend their title the same as last season – plus Riyad Mahrez. Frightening.
GOAL! ARSENAL 0-2 MAN CITY (Silva, 64)
And just like that, it’s 2-0!
Mendy races down the field before playing in Sterling over on the left. The left-back then receives the ball back on the overlap and cuts back for Silva inside the area.
It’s then a superb, sweeping finish from the Portuguese midfielder and despite Arsenal’s recent dominance, Man City are the ones to add to their lead.
GOAL! ARSENAL 0-1 MAN CITY (Sterling, 14)
It was a wonderful goal from Sterling and Man City are on the scoresheet 14 minutes into their title defence.
He picked up the ball on the top left corner before trotting across the top of the area, beating Bellering, and striking, sending the ball flying past Cech in the goal.
Arsenal host champions Man City at the Emirates.
It is a baptism of fire for Unai Emery, who takes charge of his first league game, while Pep Guardiola’s side have already got off to a winning start after lifting the Community Shield last weekend.
MAN CITY TEAM NEWS
Team to play Arsenal: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy, Silva, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling.
Subs: Bravo, Kompany, De Bruyne, Sane, Otamendi, Jesus, Foden.