Man City predicted line-up v Arsenal as Pep Guardiola faces midfield selection dilemma - gallery

Pep Guardiola has a major selection dilemma on his hands ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Arsenal on Sunday.

The Catalan is only without three players for the clash: John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri. Yet, it’s the latter’s absence that will be causing Guardiola a headache in the build-up to the top-of-the-table clash.

Rodri only missed one league match last term - one of which came after City had won the title - and the midfielder is one of Guardiola's most reliable players. There’s also no obvious replacement for Rodri, with Guardiola starting the last Premier League encounter with Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes in midfield.

Yet, it was a combination that didn’t work as City lost against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and both were replaced, with Nunes taken off at half-time. There’s also Kalvin Phillips, who played in the Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle United last week, but Guardiola evidently does not trust the ex-Leeds United man’s capabilities in such a high-profile match.

In midweek, City played Phil Foden and Rico Lewis in more attacking midfield roles, but, again, whether he trusts the pair to perform a similar role at the Emirates is unclear. Rodri was also available for the Champions League win over RB Leipzig, a luxury City won’t have at the Emirates.

Bernardo Silva is the final option available for the champions, although the experienced Portugal international has tended to play more in the wide areas this season. Indeed, knowhow of Guardiola’s tactical playbook could be key when it comes to Sunday’s team selection, as well as experience of big games.

With that in mind, here’s how we think City will line up this weekend against Arsenal…