Arsenal news: Alan Shearer drops Man City prediction after strong Raheem Sterling warning

Arsenal take on potential title rivals Manchester City in what could be a key clash at the Etihad Stadium this weekend and Mikel Arteta has been hard at work preparing for the game

Arsenal face another tough assignment this weekend as they do battle with former title rivals Manchester City.

The two sides have gone toe-to-toe over recent seasons for the right to lift the Premier League title. City have gone on to claim the trophy on both occasions.

But Arsenal will hope to change that this term - starting this weekend as they travel to the Etihad Stadium. The Gunners won the North London derby against Spurs last weekend and followed that up with a draw in their Champions League opener against Atalanta.

Goalkeeper David Raya stole the headlines with his fantastic double save in Bergamo. Take a look at all of the latest headlines from the Emirates Stadium:

Shearer predicts draw

Alan Shearer has given his prediction ahead of Sunday’s trip to the Etihad Stadium and is expecting a close affair. “If you offered Arsenal the option to go to the Etihad and get a point like they did last year, they’d snap your hands off. They don’t need to go there and win,” Shearer told Betfair.

“Arsenal are great at defending and I do believe they’ve got the best back four in the Premier League as a unit, with their organisation and with the protection that they get from in-front too.

He added: “I am going for a draw in this one. It’s a long week with both teams having played in the Champions League as well, so a draw for both teams isn’t a bad result, even though Man City are at home.”

Sterling given miserable warning

Raheem Sterling has been told that he should only expect to play a bit-part role for Arsenal this season. Speaking to Paddy Power, ex-Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson said: “At Arsenal, I think Raheem Sterling will solely be used for squad depth, I don’t see him breaking into the starting team.

“I’d imagine that the manager will have already told him that he’ll be a 25-minute man each week and that will be it, unless he does well when he gets a chance.

“I’ve been quite impressed with Arsenal in recent years and they know that the game against Manchester City this weekend is a massive game for them and I have a feeling that they will go to the Etihad and take home all three points.”

Sterling joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from Chelsea on deadline day. He has so far made two substitute appearances for the Gunners.

Will Raheem Sterling be a good signing for Arsenal? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Carragher makes Saliba point

Jamie Carragher believes both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are well on their way to becoming one of the Premier League’s greatest defensive partnerships ever.

“Provided they stay together, we will eventually reference Saliba and Gabriel in the same breath as the two stand-out partnerships of my generation; Chelsea’s John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, and Manchester United ’s Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic,” Carragher wrote for The Telegraph.

“Arsenal must win the Premier League or Champions League for the duo to establish themselves in that hall of fame, but they are making giant strides and are the biggest reason why Mikel Arteta ’s side can travel to Manchester City with confidence this weekend.”

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