Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
In what is a heavyweight Premier League showdown on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal will welcome Manchester City to north London.
Arsenal
Starting with the hosts, signing off their Champions League group stage adventure with a 2-1 victory away at Spanish outfit Girona in midweek, Arsenal are enjoying a recent flurry. Despite their shock FA Cup exit at the hands of historic rivals Manchester United on January 12th, Mikel Arteta’s men have collected 13 points from their previous five appearances across all competitions. Last seen in Premier League action landing a 1-0 win against Wolves, the Gunners are simply looking to try and keep some pressure on runaway leaders Liverpool. However, suffering a collapse at the Emirates earlier in the month as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate against Aston Villa, Sunday’s hosts have shown some domestic issues on home soil. In fact, Arsenal have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous four home fixtures against Premier League opposition.
Arsenal Team News
Undergoing hamstring surgery last month, Arsenal will once again be without attacking talisman Bukayo Saka on Sunday afternoon. Likewise, suffering a season-ending knee injury against Manchester United on January 12th, former Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus will play no part here.
Forced to settle for a spot on the bench away at Girona earlier in the week, England international Declan Rice should be handed a full recall. Notching a maiden Champions League goal in Catalonia on Wednesday night, 17-year-old sensation Ethan Nwaneri will be hoping to keep his spot from the start.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, mounting what was an essential Champions League comeback in midweek as they eventually clinched a 3-1 victory against Club Brugge, Manchester City will know that they avoided what would have been an infamous Champions League exit. While Pep Guardiola’s side might have fallen to a dramatic 4-2 defeat away at PSG on January 22nd, the Sky Blues have largely impressed since opening the New Year. Claiming another 3-1 win against domestic rivals Chelsea last weekend, Sunday’s guests have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Getting 2025 underway with a thumping 4-1 victory at home against West Ham, City have certainly found a real clinical edge in the final third. However, recording just a pair of Premier League clean sheets away from the Etihad since the opening weekend, Guardiola’s men should face a real challenge here.
Manchester City Team News
While January recruits Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush might have been forced to miss out against Club Brugge in midweek, City’s latest recruits are free to feature here. However, all still dealing with respective injury issues, Guardiola will be unable to call upon the likes of Ruben Dias and midfield talisman Rodri.
Already notching five goals across all competitions since opening the New Year, Erling Haaland will lead City’s charge in north London. Likewise, notching six goals in his previous four Premier League appearances, the red-hot Phil Foden will partner Haaland in the final third.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Key Factors to Consider
- When Arsenal and Manchester City met for their reverse Premier League showdown on September 22nd, Sunday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate at the Etihad.
- The Gunners have collected 13 points from their previous five appearances across all competitions.
- Man City have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous nine matchups across all fronts.
- However, the Sky Blues have recorded just a pair of Premier League clean sheets since the opening weekend.
- Arsenal have claimed just a sole win from any of their previous four domestic home fixtures across all competitions.
Conclusion
With the two Premier League giants playing out a dramatic 2-2 stalemate when they met for their reverse showdown on September 22nd, neutrals will be hoping for a similar affair here. With Arsenal knowing that they fading title dreams could take a critical blow here, we look set for a thriller from north London this weekend. Two camps who have shown their own respective defensive issues, we are expecting chance to fall at both ends of the pitch on Sunday afternoon.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
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