Arsenal host Manchester City at Emirates Stadium in a blockbuster rearranged clash in the Premier League title race.
Victory would see Arsenal re-open their six-point lead over City, whilst Pep Guardiola’s Citizens know that a win would see them go top of the table.
Team News
Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns after their 1-1 draw against Brentford at the weekend, as goalscorer Leandro Trossard looks to start after he was utilised as a substitute on Saturday afternoon.
Reiss Nelson (thigh), Emile Smith Rowe (quad), Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus (both knee) remain absent.
Man City could be without Erling Haaland after he suffered a knock during their win against Aston Villa last weekend.
John Stones (hamstring) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal host Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday 15 February at 7:30pm GMT, live on Amazon Prime after it was postponed in October due to a schedule conflict for the Gunners.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have claimed just two points from their last 13 league meetings against Man City (D2, L11).
- Man City are unbeaten in their last six league visits to Arsenal (W5, D1).
- Arsenal have failed to keep a clean sheet in five of their last six league meetings against Man City, except for a 2-1 home loss in January 2022.
- Three of Arsenal’s last four league goals at home have been scored by English players (Eddie Nketiah x 2, Bukayo Saka x 1).
- Man City have won two of their three league visits to London-based teams so far this season (W2, L1).
Prediction
Now winless in their last three matches in all competitions and with a weaker goal difference than Man City, Arsenal really need to win this match to put the title race in their own hands over the next few months otherwise I do fear that their title dreams could implode.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners though will need to be better defensively than they were against Brentford because they lacked intensity and pressing in their marking, yet their attack often lacked the final touch to various impressive attacks which could well be crucial in this match.
City though were just as wasteful in their match against Villa yet still managed to score three first-half goals, which will give them plenty of confidence coming into this game yet a slip of defensive focus showed how vulnerable they can be under pressure at the back.
On that note, I expect this game to be settled by fine margins and a clinical end product will be key but Arsenal realistically needs to start Trossard, because he has been their best player in recent weeks otherwise I fancy Man City to win this.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City
Result: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City
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