After a cruel run of results, Arsenal will have to pick themselves up fast if they hope to stand any chance in the biggest match of their season – away to Manchester City. It’s no secret that Manchester City’s home form has been truly amazing, most recently smashing Tottenham 6-0, and if Arsenal were to come away with 3 points on the weekend, it would really send a signal to the rest of the league, and surely make Arsenal Premier League favourites. However, that’s a huge “if”.
Manchester City came into the season surely as favourites, and at times have shown that they are a real force to be reckoned with strike partnership Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo amassing a combined 18 goals, which is even more impressive when compared to Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey’s 15 goal combined tally, and the Aguero/Negredo partnership will be a true test of the Arsenal defence, which could be without experienced right-back Bacary Sagna.
Arsenal currently have the best defensive record in the league, and have managed to handle pressure in a way which I haven’t seen over the last 8 years- largely thanks to the inspired form of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, which has been the best Premier League centre-back pairing of 2013.
Manchester City, like Arsenal, are likely to have a few defensive weakness’ with Matija Nastasić ruled out, and Gael Clichy unlikely to start. Whilst Manchester City have relied on the saying “attack is the best form of defence” and have scored a truly sensational 41 goals in 15 games (2.7 g/g), to Arsenal’s 30 goals in 15 games (2 g/g), they haven’t allowed the defensive side of the game slip substantially – only conceding 15 goals in 15 games, which is the 3rd best in the league – so Arsenal fans will have to hope for Olivier Giroud to be at the very top of his game.
However, with all of the emphasis being places on the striker vs defence battle I can see a really interesting midfield battle taking place. Arsenal fans who watched the pre-season match between these two clubs will be hopeful of another exceptional performance from Aaron Ramsey (who was rested in the loss vs Napoli), who in that match in Asia outmuscled, outwitted and outran Fernandinho and Yaya Toure, and so far this season he has also outscored the Manchester City pair combined. Samir Nasri, who is having his best season since leaving the gunners, will be playing with a point to prove and is a constant goal threat – and being likely to be played at left-wing Arsenal fans will be even more grateful is Bacary Sagna passes that all important late fitness test.
Mesut Ozil is the joint Premier League assister and will undoubtedly cause Manchester City all kinds of trouble tomorrow, with his precise through balls and gliding dribbles, and with Theo Walcott likely to start on the right Mesut Ozil will have much more options in behind the Manchester City back four – and due to this I will be putting money on Theo Walcott to be first Arsenal goalscorer.
My prediction is 2-1 to Arsenal, with a late winner from Jack Wilshere, and if this result was to come to fruition I think that all media outlets and football pundits would be forced to stop questioning if Arsenal are contenders, and accept that they are favourites to end their 8 year drought with a glorious Premier League title.
Having a bet on the game? Take a look at our recommended bets…
ARSENAL TO WIN 2-1 – 7/1: Arsenal have been a very, very good away team this season. City will come on to Arsenal, so perhaps the Gunners can catch them on the break to secure a big win in the title race.BET ON THIS MARKET
MANCHESTER CITY NOT TO WIN – EVS: Manchester City have been stunning at home. This has to come to an end soon, right? BET ON THIS MARKET
MATHIEU FLAMINI TO BE CARDED ANYTIME – 11/8: Mathieu Flamini already has five bookings in the Premier League this season. He’s bound to get one here against the likes of Fernandinho, Silva, Aguero etc, right? BET ON THIS MARKET
