How Manchester City could line up against Arsenal

Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland has emerged as a doubt for Wednesday's Premier League showdown with title rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The Norwegian was taken off at half time in the 3-1 win at home to Aston Villa on Sunday after sustaining a "big knock", and Pep Guardiola stated after the game that the goal machine will be assessed ahead of the encounter with Mikel Arteta's side.

One Citizens player who will definitely miss the trip to North London is defender John Stones, who continues to recover from a hamstring injury which he sustained in the FA Cup win over Arsenal at the end of last month.

Guardiola opted to name only three natural defenders in his starting lineup against Villa and further tweaks could be made by the Catalan boss on Wednesday, with Rico Lewis, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji all pushing to start after beginning the last match as substitutes.

The potential inclusion of Lewis – who started in the FA Cup win over Arsenal – could see Kyle Walker drop to the bench, while Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte will face competition from Akanji and Ake to retain their spots in central defence.

Alterations at left-back have been rife since the departure of Joao Cancelo, and while it is a tricky task to predict Guardiola's starter for that role, Ake could be the man to get the nod should Laporte continue at centre-back.

In midfield, either Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva is likely to drop out of the side should an extra defender be included in the first XI, with Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri both expected to begin again in the middle of the pitch.

Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish appear to be Guardiola's go-to wingers at present, and the pair are set to continue on Wednesday, while a start for Julian Alvarez could be on the cards if Haaland is not deemed fully fit to play from the first whistle.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Laporte, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish

> Click here to see how Arsenal could line up for this contest