The most valuable game in history? Man City and Arsenal could break record

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Real Madrid and City top 

The two best teams in England meet on Sunday afternoon and it already feels like a significant fixture in the Premier League title race. Manchester City were crowned champions for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time last season after edging out Arsenal in the closing weeks of the season. Pep Guardiola’s men finished just two points clear of the North London side and Man City have made a blistering start to this season, winning their opening four games. 

Man City will establish a five-point lead over Arsenal if they emerge victorious on Sunday and that would leave Mikel Arteta’s men facing an uphill task despite it being incredibly early in the season. Arsenal have improved drastically under Arteta and they currently possess the third most valuable squad in the world based on Transfermarkt data. With Man City having the most valuable squad, Sunday’s encounter could be the most valuable game in history based on the combined market value of both starting XIs. 

The most valuable game of all time is currently the 3-3 draw between Real Madrid and Manchester City in the Champions League second leg of their semi-final last season –  the first leg in England ranks second. The combined market value of the starting 22 players in the second leg was an eye-watering €1.63 billion, with Man City’s XI valued at €830m and Real Madrid at €795m. 

As the graphic above illustrates, Man City feature six times in the current top ten but Arsenal’s visit could take top spot as Guardiola and Arteta could name starting XI’s with a combined market value of €1.66bn – €30 million more than the current record. It’s notoriously difficult to predict Guardiola’s team selection but the following XI would be worth €898m. The back four all started in the midweek draw with Inter Milan as did Ederson in goal, while Rodri made his first start of the season and is certain to plau. Kevin de Bruyne faces a late fitness test after sustaining a knock against Inter with Mateo Kovacic likely to deputise if the Belgian misses out. Jack Grealish and Savinho started in midweek but Phil Foden has returned to fitness and Jeremy Doku could be utilised to break down Arsenal’s low block with Erling Haaland up front.

 While Man City’s key playmaker is at risk of missing out, Arsenal’s talisman Martin Ødegaard won’t be involved due to injury. The Norwegian’s absence is a major blow and it was evident as Arsenal failed to impress against Atalanta on Thursday night. Arteta dropped Kai Havertz back into midfield with Gabriel Jesus leading the line and that XI had a market value of €761m. Leonandro Trossard, however, is likely to come into the side with Jorginho also in contention to start. But if Arteta names the same side and Guardiola plays the aforementioned team then it would become the most valuable game of all time based on Transfermarkt data.