- Manchester City and Arsenal face each other at the Etihad on Sunday evening
- Alan Shearer selected four Gunners players in a combined XI ahead of the showdown
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has named his combined Manchester City and Arsenal squad.
Pep Guardiola’s team will host the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The team is scheduled to play at the top of the league, with both teams looking to prove themselves.
Last season, City again defeated Mikel Arteta’s men in the title race, despite picking up just one point from their two games.
However, Shearer believes the reigning champions still have a better team, having included just four Arsenal players in his overall squad.
Shearer opted for Ederson as goalkeeper despite David Raya’s strong start to the season, the latter’s heroics proving crucial in Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Atalanta in the Champions League.
The Spaniard made two stunning saves from the penalty spot to ensure Arsenal started the European campaign unbeaten.
Sheare preferred Kyle Walker over Ben White at right-back, despite Ben White only starting once this season.
The former Magpies captain has preferred Arsenal’s formidable central defensive duo of William Saliba and Gabriel over the likes of Ruben Dias, John Stones and Manuel Akanji, with Jurrien Timber displacing Josko Gvardiol at left-back.
There was not a single Arsenal player to be found in midfield, as Shearer fielded a City trio of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, rather than the likes of Martin Ödegaard and Declan Rice.
Bukayo Saka is the only striker in the squad, with Shearer placing him alongside Phil Foden and Erling Haaland.
Shearer believes it will be difficult to separate the two teams at the Etihad after their midweek matches.
“I’m going for a draw in this one,” Shearer told Betfair. “It’s a long week as both teams have played in the Champions League as well, so a draw for both teams is not a bad result, even though Man City are playing at home.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola stressed that Sunday’s match will not be decisive for the title, saying their second match at the Emirates Stadium is more important.
The City manager said at his pre-match press conference: ‘As far as the league table is concerned, it’s not that important.
“What will be important is when we go to London in the second part of the season. It’s not a motivation that we have to win to be five points ahead after five games! It’s to play a good game.”