Manchester City and Arsenal will lock horns once again this weekend, with the result of the Premier League title race potentially set to be decided at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola's side defeated the Gunners in the EFL Cup final at Wembley last month, and Sunday's hosts will be hoping to parlay their momentum into what promises to be a decisive clash.
Arsenal have consistently been forced to play second-fiddle to City in recent years, and victory would put destiny back in their hands as they look to end a two-decade wait for a league title
Ahead of an eagerly anticipated cup final contest, we've assembled a combined XI based off the current crop of Arsenal and Man City players.
GK - Gianluigi Donnarumma
There was an element of surprise when reports indicated that reigning UEFA Champions League champions Paris Saint Germain were willing to sell starting goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, and, despite re-signing James Trafford earlier in the window, Man City were quick to pounce on the market opportunity.
While questions were raised over the Italian's ball-playing ability, something that former stopper Ederson specialised in, it has not emerged as a glaring weakness in his game and his elite shot-stopping ability undoubtedly outweighs any inferiorities.
Arsenal's David Raya, who has kept more clean sheets (15) than any other goalkeeper in the top flight this season, is unfortunate to miss out, but Donnarumma has made an immediate impact in the Citizens goal and it's therfore hard to look past him.
RB - Jurrien Timber
While Matheus Nunes has been amongst the league's most impressive right-backs, there is simply no displacing Jurrien Timber in this combined XI.
Dominant in one v one duels, tenacious in the tackle and personifying composure on the ball, the versatile Dutchman has featured in all but two of the Gunners' Premier League games this season, scoring three goals and registering an impressive six assists.
CB - William Saliba
A Rolls-Royce in defence who has taken to the Premier League seamlessly since breaking into the Arsenal first team fold, William Saliba is the complete package.
It's rare to find a central defender who possesses next to no flaws, but it's hard to find to find faults in the Frenchman's game, flourishing in both the physical and technical aspects.
A stalwart in the Gunners back line who, you could argue, has taken Arsenal from title pretenders to title contenders, Saliba walks into this combined XI.
CB - Gabriel Magalhaes
Widely regarded as the best central defender in the Premier League at present, Gabriel Magalhaes completes an Arsenal partnership in defence.
While Gabriel's ability to defend on the halfway line was questioned when joining the North London outfit, he is now a key component in Mikel Arteta's high-line defensive system and relishes challenges with Europe's leading centre forwards.
The Brazilian is also an imposing box defender, boasting a remarkable aerial presence and putting that to practice in the opposition's box too, scoring 24 goals in all competitions for Arsenal.
LB - Nico O'Reilly
Arguably the toughest selection in the team, Nico O'Reilly pips Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie and Rayan Ait-Nouri to the left-back spot.
While, when they have played, Calafiori and Hincapie have proved key to Arsenal's robust defensive setup, the pair have shared minutes for much of the season and so regular starter O'Reilly, who has featured in 28 of 30 top flight games this campaign, makes the team.
In addition to asserting a place in Pep Guardiola's side, the versatile full-back was handed his England debut in November 2025 and looks set to feature in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup plans come the summer.
Not only an exciting Citizens prospect for future, but for the here and now too.
CM - Martin Zubimendi
While Martin Zubimendi has hardly set the world alight since joining Arsenal for a reported £55.8m fee in the summer transfer window, he has done exactly what has been needed of him.
A calm figure on the ball who possesses exceptional positional discipline, not only has the Basque-born midfielder protected the back line, his presence has allowed Declan Rice to occupy a more advanced position, with Arsenal reaping the rewards.
Backtrack 18 months and Rodri would be an unquestionable starter in this combined team, as proven by his 2024 Ballon d'Or success, but he's yet to reach the same heights since recovering from his ACL injury.
CM - Declan Rice
Leading the way in our PFA Player Of The Year market, Declan Rice is arguably enjoying his best season to date since trading West Ham for Arsenal.
Earlier in his career, many had profiled Rice as a defensive midfield, frequently occupying the six position for the Hammers, but he's undoubtedly played his best football in the box-to-box role under Arteta, adding goals and assists to his skillset.
Boasting a Steven Gerrard-like engine with a David Beckham-esque delivery, there really is no ceiling for the London-born midfielder.
AM - Rayan Cherki
Rayan Cherki's ability to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League was questioned with joining from Lyon in the summer, but any questions have surely been answered after an impressive debut campaign.
Falling only behind Bruno Fernandes in the standings for the most Premier League assists in the 2025/26 term, the Frenchman oozes technical class with his unpredictable dribbling and remarkable control with both feet.
In a world where £100m transfers are becoming increasingly more frequent, Man City's coup of Cherki for €36.5m looks a steal.
RW - Bukayo Saka
The fact that Bukayo Saka is closing in 20 goal contributions in all competitions yet is still being criticised for a below-par season speaks volumes of where the England international is ranked amongst wingers in Europe.
After finishing second in three consecutive Premier League seasons, Arteta has employed a system that arguably restricts his forwards from expressing themselves as much, but Saka remains a constant threat.
Assisting in games against Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Chelsea, Saka lives for the big moments and he'll be looking to make a significant impact in Arsenal's Premier League title run-in.
ST - Erling Haaland
While Erling Haaland isn't enjoying the finest run in an already illustrious career, leaving him out of a combined XI of any kind would be absurd.
Even in a 'poor' season by his exceptionally high standards, the Norwegian brute leads the way with the most goals (22) in the Premier League, adding eight to his tally in the UEFA Champions League prior to Man City's Round of 16 exit to Real Madrid.
Despite joining the Manchester-based outfit less than four years ago, Haaland is already regarded as one of the most prolific strikers that England has seen and, in spite of a momentary blip, he's shown few signs of slowing down.
LW - Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo made quite the start to the 2025/26 season with Bournemouth, so much that, come January, Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool and Tottenham were seemingly prepared to trigger his reported £64m release clause.
It was Guardiola's side who secured the signature of the versatile Ghanaian, and he's been equally as impressive since scoring on his debut against Exeter City in the FA Cup.
Only four players have recorded more goal contributions than Semenyo in the Premier League this campaign, and he beats Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku to the left-wing spot.
