Arsenal to compete vs. league leaders
Arsenal welcome Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium in hoping to continue their push for a top four finish in the Premier League. The Gunners are going to have to carry on their good form with Tottenham Hotspur currently starting to look dangerous under Antonio Conte and the always untimely visit of Manchester City will be very challenging. Mikel Arteta’s men dispatched Norwich City to a 5-0 scoreline in their last encounter, and also have three extra days of recovery time in looking to get the better of Pep Guardiola’s men. Arsenal have not beaten City since the 2015/16 season when they went on to finish second in the table with Leicester City winning the title.
Process
City are the best team in the Premier League in both attack and defence. For that reason, it is not a surprise to see them as overwhelming favourites for this match, despite the Gunners’ impressive home record in recent years and even this term. Arsenal have been playing with a lot more freedom in the final third since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was removed from the first team picture and with willing runners like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard, they are bound to cause City problems.
The champions have the best defence in the division, however the fixtures mounting up has to hit their performance level at some point. Arsenal have been fortunate to concede just 23 from 27.6 expected goals (xG) this term and will have their work cut out in looking to keep a clean sheet in North London.
Goals?
Part of my angle for this encounter, both sides have been impressive going forward this term and that suggests that a goal-laden game is likely on Saturday.
- Arsenal have scored in nine of ten.
- Arsenal have conceded in five of ten.
- Arsenal have seen both teams score in four of ten.
- Arsenal have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
- City have scored in all of their last 12.
- City have conceded in six of ten.
- City have seen both teams score in six of ten.
- City have seen over 2.5 goals in nine of ten.
This could be an absolute cracker with it likely that Guardiola will have to rotate his squad considerably more than Arteta. If Spurs beat Southampton on Tuesday afternoon then the pressure will firmly be on the Gunners heading into this one.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A comfortable winner, Rodri won it in dramatic fashion, 2-1 City.