Arsenal vs. Manchester City Preview
Arsenal and Manchester City lock horns with each other at Emirates stadium in today’s late kickoff. It’s a crucial game for both the sides as City will look to gain all 3 points to charge forward in the title race while the host cannot afford to drop any more points or they might even end up losing champions league action next season.
City comes into the game with high confidence after beating their dearest rivals Manchester United by 3 goals at Old Trafford. On other hand, Wenger has a tough task of keeping his players motivated after two poor results which almost ended all their title hopes.
Team News
Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny are all out for the big game against the Citizens. Thomas Vermaelen will replace Koscielny in the starting lineup.
January signing Kim Kallstrom may start instead of Arteta after impressing the gunners faithful with his 15 mins cameo against the Swans.
Lukas Podolski may come back to the starting XI after bagging a goal and an assist in his last game. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may get dropped to bench as Wenger prefers Rosicky in big games.
For City, Sergio Aguero, Micah Richards and Matija Nastasic are all unavailable for the selection. Pelligrini is expected to field the same lineup that demolished United in midweek.
Possible starting lineups
Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Kallstrom, Flamini; Rosicky, Cazorla, Podolski; Giroud
City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy; Fernandinho, Toure; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Dzeko
Match Facts
- There have been six red cards in the last seven Barclays Premier League meetings between Man City (4) and Arsenal (2). Five of those have come in the last three meetings at the Emirates.
- Manchester City scored six goals from just seven shots on target when they beat Arsenal 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium last December.
- There have been just four goals scored in the last five meetings in all competitions between Arsenal and Man City at the Emirates Stadium.
- Victory at the Emirates last season ended a run of 27 league games without a win for Man City away against Arsenal (D8 L19).
- Arsenal have won just three of their last nine Premier League games (W3 D3 L3), this after a run of five successive victories beforehand.
Match facts courtesy: eurosport
Recent form
Arsenal: DLWDWL
City: WWWLLW
Prediction
Arsenal will give a good fight but City is too strong for them.
Arsenal 1 City 3