Manchester City-Arsenal Preview: The time has come

Manchester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (R) vies with Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (R) vies with Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

For the first time since March, we will once again have Premier League football in a world that has completely changed, and it all begins as Manchester City face Arsenal.

Football has returned to the Premier League. With Project Restart coming to fruition, Manchester City will continue their season in front of an eerily empty Etihad Stadium against Arsenal.

It will be a new look for City, who will don “Cityzens Giving for Recovery” in place of their typical Etihad front shirt sponsor, while Black Lives Matter will be on the back of every player on both sides. For the first time since August, City will be bolstered by the return of want-away winger Leroy Sané, who is fit to play and looks set to play a key role for the rest of the season.

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With the return of the Champions League set for August in Lisbon, City will look to gain some form back and bring joy to the fans at home during what will be 10 meaningless fixtures from a City perspective. For the rest of the season, all clubs will be allowed five substitutions and nine men on the bench. City will be able to field arguably their strongest side, as the likes of Sergio Agüero, Kevin de Bruyne, and Raheem Sterling will look to get back to their best.

This game might not mean much for the Blues’ season, with the club firmly set in 2nd place but out of the title chase, but it will be an extremely exciting prospect to see the team in action once again for the first time in months. Premier League football is back, and it all begins on Wednesday in Manchester.