Julian Alvarez returns as Kalvin Phillips decision made - Man City predicted team vs Arsenal

Manchester City travel to Arsenal on Sunday for the biggest game of their season so far and Pep Guardiola is expected to reintroduce Julian Alvarez after another excellent performance midweek.

City arrested a mini-slump on Wednesday, beating German side RB Leipzig 3-1 in their second Champions League group stage match. Phil Foden had given them an early lead before Lois Openda equalised shortly after half-time.

Alvarez came off the bench on 79 minutes, grabbing a goal and an assist for Jeremy Doku to seal all three points. The Argentinian has been City's star this season and is expected to start for Sunday's trip to the Emirates.

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He is likely to drop back into the role behind Erling Haaland, who continues to lead the line. The Norwegian has eight goals in 11 appearances across all competitions but has only found the net once in his last four.

With Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva now fully fit, Guardiola has plenty of choices out wide and the Blues boss will likely go with his most trusted options for such a huge game. That would see Grealish retain his place on the right after coming off early in midweek, while Silva will stay on the right, tasked with marking Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Guardiola will require some defensive stability away from home against top opposition and could call on Kalvin Phillips in Rodri's absence. The 27-year-old has still struggled for minutes in the last few games but with Mateo Kovacic struggling in that role against Wolves, Sunday could be his chance. Kovacic will also likely get his start, albeit in his more natural role between Phillips and Alvarez, with