Manchester City vs Arsenal: Preview, Team News & Predictions
Manchester City and Arsenal are set to rub shoulders in what is earmarked as the title-resolving affair between the top two of the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola and former apprentice Mikel Arteta have vaulted their sides to the very top, with the margin for error so narrow that either team is as close to the title as they are to possibly the largest heartbreak they could endure in recent years.
The top-of-the-table clash promises to be a spectacle, with Manchester City having won 11 of their past 12 matches, most recently running away 3-0 winners against Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi final.
Form, history, and the aptitude to soak high pressure situations are all in their favour.
Also read: Manchester City: Premier League Title Theirs To Lose?
It’s not just the tendency to emerge on top at the business end of the term that’s on Man City’s side, but also that they last lost to Arsenal at home in January 2015. Guardiola himself has a 100% record against the Gunners at home, boasting a staggering aggregate of 17-3 in six league outings. And what’s most morale-boosting is that they’ve already beaten Arsenal twice this season, once in the league and on the other occasion in the FA Cup, a competition where they have yet to concede a goal.
While the mojo is with the hosts, Arteta and co. enter the picture full of character, grit, and a never-say-die attitude that they have installed this season.
They’ve dropped points thrice in a row now in the league but illustrated their desire to win with two goals in three minutes against Southampton last week. They’ve proved doubters wrong several times this season, but this might be the most difficult examination of skill. Five points ahead of Manchester City after having played two extra games, can Arsenal add another twist to this frantic title race?
Team News
Manchester City
Of the key players in the City squad, Nathan Ake, perhaps is the only name that will be out of the squad as he recovers from a thigh strain.
Riyad Mahrez’s wonderful Wembley hat trick poses a happy headache for Guardiola. The Algerian could well start alongside Jack Grealish and regular record-breaker Erling Haaland.
Arsenal
William Saliba’s instincts, effortless defending, and range of passing, which is a key ingredient of Arsenal’s build up, will be heavily missed, especially with Haaland in the opposition camp.
Granit Xhaka, positively, will return for Arsenal having missed out in the 3-3 draw versus Southampton.
There will be a couple of reunions too, as Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko return to the Etihad.
Predicted XI
Manchester City probable line-up (4-3-3):
Ederson; Stones, Akanji, Dias, Laporte; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Grealish, Haaland, Mahrez
Arsenal probable line-up (4-2-3-1):
Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus
Match Prediction
Given the growing list of injuries at Arsenal, their record away from home and Manchester City’s present-day ruthlessness, we expect the champions to dethrone the challengers and move one step closer to the Premier League title.
Kevin de Bruyne steps up in big games, and while all the spotlight is on Haaland, Arsenal will have to be aware of City’s commander-in-chief from midfield.
Predicted score: Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Kieran Lynam. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.