Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 19 April 2026 in one of the most anticipated Premier League fixtures of the season. With Arsenal holding a nine-point lead at the top of the table and City sitting third on 61 points, this is a match Pep Guardiola’s side simply cannot afford to lose if they harbour any remaining title ambitions. The reverse fixture at the Emirates ended 1-1 in September, and the two clubs have already met at Wembley this season, where City claimed the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 victory in March.
What is Manchester City vs Arsenal?
This is a Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Arsenal, two clubs that have defined the English top flight’s title race for the past four seasons. Since Arsenal’s resurgence under Mikel Arteta, beginning with their unexpected 2022-23 title challenge, these two sides have been locked in a rivalry that now stands alongside any in Premier League history.
City pipped Arsenal to the title in both 2022-23 and 2023-24, while Arsenal’s 5-1 demolition of City at the Emirates in February 2025 signalled a genuine shift in the balance of power. This season, Arsenal have been the most consistent side in the league, and a win at the Etihad would move them a significant step closer to securing a first Premier League title since 2003-04.
For City, this is about pride as much as points. Having already beaten Arsenal to the Carabao Cup this season, Guardiola will want to prove his side can still compete at the highest level domestically, even if the title looks increasingly out of reach.
When is Manchester City vs Arsenal?
The match takes place on Sunday 19 April 2026, with kick-off at 4:30pm BST (11:30am ET / 8:30am PT). This is a late Sunday afternoon fixture, selected for live television broadcast as one of the standout matches of the Premier League weekend.
Where is Manchester City vs Arsenal?
The match will be played at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England. Originally built as the City of Manchester Stadium for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the ground has been Manchester City’s home since 2003. The stadium currently holds approximately 53,400 spectators following the first phase of the North Stand expansion, with plans to increase capacity beyond 61,000 as part of a wider £300 million redevelopment project that includes a hotel, museum, and covered fan zone.
The Etihad has been a fortress for City in recent years, though Arsenal’s growing confidence in this fixture has been notable. The 0-0 draw here in March 2024 ended City’s remarkable 58-game home scoring streak, while Arsenal also earned a point at the Etihad in September 2024 before John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser rescued a 2-2 draw for the hosts.
Key Contenders
Erling Haaland remains the most prolific striker in the Premier League. The Norwegian has scored 22 league goals this season and surpassed 105 Premier League goals in just 120 appearances, a rate that puts him on course to break virtually every scoring record in the competition’s history. His movement, aerial ability, and ruthless finishing make him the focal point of everything City do in attack.
Bukayo Saka continues to be Arsenal’s most important creative force. Operating from the right, Saka’s ability to beat defenders on the outside, cut inside onto his left foot, or deliver crosses into dangerous areas gives Arsenal a constant attacking outlet. His consistency across another full season has been central to Arsenal’s title push.
Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal’s marquee summer signing from Sporting CP, has found his best form in 2026 after a difficult first half of the campaign. The Swedish striker has scored more Premier League goals than any other player since the turn of the year, including a two-goal display against Tottenham in February that drew praise from pundits and his manager alike. With 10 league goals to his name, Gyokeres adds a direct, physical presence that Arsenal previously lacked.
Nico O’Reilly is the emerging talent on City’s side. The 21-year-old scored both goals in the Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal less than a month before this fixture, and his confidence will be sky-high heading into this meeting. Kevin De Bruyne, when fit, remains City’s chief creator, while Phil Foden’s ability to find pockets of space between the lines continues to trouble even the most organised defences.
How to Watch
United Kingdom: Sky Sports will broadcast the match live, with coverage available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. The match is also available to stream via the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.
United States: NBC’s family of networks holds exclusive Premier League rights. This fixture is expected to air on USA Network or NBC, with streaming available on Peacock. Spanish-language coverage is available through Telemundo and Universo.
Canada: Fubo holds the rights to all 380 Premier League matches, with subscriptions starting from CA$31.49 per month.
Australia: Stan Sport streams every Premier League match live, requiring the base Stan plan (AU$12) plus the sports add-on (AU$20).
India: Star Sports and the JioStar streaming app provide coverage across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
History and Records
Manchester City and Arsenal have met over 200 times in all competitions, with Arsenal holding the historical advantage of 101 wins. In the Premier League era, however, City have dominated the head-to-head since the Abu Dhabi takeover transformed the club. Between March 2016 and March 2026, City won 13 of 20 Premier League meetings between the sides, drawing five and losing just two.
The rivalry intensified dramatically from 2022-23 onwards, when Arsenal mounted a genuine title challenge for the first time in years. That season, Arsenal led the table for much of the campaign before City’s relentless run-in saw them claim the title. The following year produced a similar narrative, with City again finishing ahead of Arsenal despite the Gunners pushing them all the way.
Arsenal’s 5-1 victory at the Emirates in February 2025 was a watershed moment, their most emphatic win over City in the Premier League era. This season has added further chapters: the 1-1 draw at the Emirates in September, followed by City’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final win at Wembley in March, where Nico O’Reilly’s brace gave Guardiola a record-breaking fifth League Cup title. Arsenal, by contrast, have now lost their last four League Cup finals, the longest such losing run in the competition’s history.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for this fixture are available through Manchester City’s official website. Adult Cityzens Matchday Members can purchase general admission tickets priced between £30 and £60, with under-18 tickets available from £15 to £30. A Matchday Membership or Junior Membership is required to buy directly from the club.
Given the significance of this fixture, tickets are in extremely high demand and are expected to sell out well in advance. Secondary market prices are significantly higher, with resale platforms listing tickets at several hundred pounds. Fans are advised to purchase through official channels where possible.
Arsenal’s away allocation will be managed through the club’s own ticketing system, with priority given to members with the highest loyalty points. Full details are available on arsenal.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Manchester City vs Arsenal kick off?
The match kicks off at 4:30pm BST on Sunday 19 April 2026 (11:30am ET in the United States).
Where is Manchester City vs Arsenal being played?
The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, which has a current capacity of approximately 53,400.
How can I watch Manchester City vs Arsenal?
In the UK, the match is live on Sky Sports. In the US, coverage is on NBC’s platforms including Peacock and USA Network. In Australia, Stan Sport has the broadcast rights.
What happened when these two teams last met?
Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on 22 March 2026, with Nico O’Reilly scoring both goals. Their last Premier League meeting was a 1-1 draw at the Emirates in September 2025.
Who is leading the Premier League title race?
Arsenal lead the 2025-26 Premier League table with 70 points from 31 matches (21 wins, 7 draws, 3 losses). Manchester City are on 61 points from 30 games.