Man City v Arsenal LIVE: Kevin De Bruyne absent from City squad

The players are coming out of the tunnel onto the pitch and the match is about to get underway.

Blue Moon has been played out, the flags are being wrapped up from the centre circle, and kick off is about to happen.

Kick-off is just a few minutes away now. A reminder of the two starting line-ups:

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho, Doku, Haaland.

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Stones, Kovacic, Grealish, Nunes, Foden, Lewis, McAtee.

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard.

Subs: Neto, White, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Kacurri, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus.

Neville speaking on Sky Sports: “Last season they came here and defended brilliantly and we feel like they’re set up to do that again today. [Thomas] Partey and Declan Rice are so important in making sure they have that shield in front of the back four. But then you need that bit of ruthlessness on the break.”

The Arsenal manager told Sky Sports: “Ready. And we know we are full prepared and looking forward to it. It’s a demanding but an exciting week and we have to enjoy it.

“You have a game plan ready then the opponent does certain things to allow you to play in certain areas that you want, or not. What we do with the ball is very important as well.

“You have to travel together with the ball, be better, be closer to each other, be better in counter press, be better at high press, be dominant in the areas you want and you can create threat to the opposition.

“It was a little bit forced [to drop Ben White and start Riccardo Calafiori], but we are ok. We’ve done it with different players but we have full belief in the players we have. It gives us something different.”

“We are at home, we’ve talked a little bit about some aspects: good transitions, occupying the spaces. Last season we didn’t do that and we will see. They’re not just incredible defensively, they make incredible high pressing, it’s so aggressive.

“[We haven’t just learned] from the two games against Arsenal – all the teams that play in a low block. As much as you play against those opponents, you learn what you have to do.

“What happened in the past [against Arsenal], it’s always an opportunity.

“I think its not a big, big one but [De Bruyne] was not available for today.”

And now here’s a look at the fans arriving at the ground:

Here are some shots of the players arriving at the Etihad Stadium:

Mikel Arteta has made two changes to the Arsenal squad, as Ben White drops to the bench to allow Riccardo Calafiori the chance to make his full debut.

Leandro Trossard has also been brought in, with Gabriel Jesus dropping to the bench alongside Raheem Sterling, who could feature against his former club.

Arsenal team: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard. Subs: Neto, White, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Kacurri, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus.

There was a lot of talk in the match build up surrounding Kevin De Bruyne, with City due to make a late call.

That call has been made and there is no place for him in the matchday squad.

Here is the Man City squad: Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho, Doku, Haaland SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Stones, Kovacic, Grealish, Nunes, Foden, Lewis, McAtee

Kevin De Bruyne is a major doubt but has not been ruled out after coming off injured in the 0-0 draw at home to Inter on Wednesday. Phil Foden, who is yet to start a match this season, and Ilkay Gundogan could replace the Belgian. Nathan Ake is injured, while Erling Haaland has the chance to bring up a century of goals in a Manchester City shirt – the striker is currently on 99.

Arsenal will be without captain Martin Odegaard but Declan Rice returns from suspension after missing the win at Tottenham last week. Gabriel Jesus replaced Leandro Trossard in the draw at Atalanta but was unconvincing and Mikel Arteta may opt to return Kai Havertz to the front line. Riccardo Calafiori is fit again but Mikel Merino remains sidelined.