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Arsenal have received a significant boost in the Premier League title race with it confirmed neither Erling Haaland nor Phil Foden are starting for rivals Manchester City against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ahead of the 23rd round of fixtures in the 2025/26 season, Arsenal sit top of the Premier League with exactly 50 points. City are currently their closest chasers, trailing by six points, and ahead of third-place Aston Villa only on goal difference.

Mikel Arteta's Gunners face a test against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday and 24 hours before, Pep Guardiola's side have been given the opportunity to pile on extra pressure as they kick off against the league's last-placed team Wolves at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday.

However, this afternoon's team news has revealed two of City's most potent attackers, Haaland and Foden, have been left out of the starting XI. Both players are on the bench.

It comes as Guardiola makes six changes in total to the team that lost 3-1 to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League in midweek, which left City's hopes of automatic knockout round qualification in jeopardy. January signings Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi both start, with the latter making his debut following his move from Crystal Palace.

Speaking ahead of kick-off about why Haaland is on the bench, Guardiola told Sky Sports: "I decide for now it is a lot of games, clean his mind, his body. And yeah, the selection is always good and I believe today's is the best."

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It is a boost for Arsenal before they host United, who got off to the perfect start to life under interim manager Michael Carrick last weekend when emerging victorious against City in a Manchester derby.

Haaland is the Premier League's top goalscorer with 20 strikes to his name so far. That said, he has been going through a barren patch with only one goal in his last eight outings in all competitions.

Meanwhile England international Foden has registered seven league goals in 2025/26 as City's second-highest scorer in the competition behind Haaland. He also has two assists on his record.

Between the absent duo, they have a combined 12 goals in previous matches against City's opponents this weekend.

"Maybe not [surprised to see Foden dropped], but definitely Haaland," commented Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison on the decision.

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"I don't care if he has scored one goal in eight games, he's the best striker in the Premier League and I know when you are creating chances he will put the ball in the back of the net.

"I'm not saying he (Guardiola) has one eye on Galatasaray, because this is a massive game and they need to respond and they need a win.

"It gives other players an opportunity. He's on the bench, so if things don't work out..."

But, Arsenal and Arteta have been involved in enough title races now to not let an update like this distract from their own preparations for United tomorrow evening.

Both are still available to call upon from the bench if required and the Gunners must still wait to see if Wolves can do them a huge favour by taking points from Guardiola's team, and the Midlands club have lost 16 of their 22 matches so far this term.