Premier League preview: Arsenal vs Man City
After three games without a win, Arsenal are wobbling. Is this the point where the Gunners’ title challenge collapses in on itself like a dying star?
Not at their unstoppable best and with problems that go beyond this season’s title chase, Man City are in the unfamiliar position of playing catch-up to Arsenal.
Yet if they win at the Emirates on Wednesday night, City will move ahead of Mikel Arteta’s side (on goal difference, and with the north London club still holding a game in hand).
So… which way should you jump? City’s seeming inexorable ability to better any rival may weigh heavy on the hosts. But if Arsenal have been a little undercooked recently, the Citizens have also been uncharacteristically off their game.
Pep Guardiola’s side have lost each of their last three away games – to Tottenham, Man Utd and Southampton.
And hulking striker Erling Haaland may not be fit for Wednesday’s game, having left the field with a knock during the Villa match on Sunday.
But even if the Norwegian misses out, it’s not like City are entirely reliant on the towering 22-year-old.
He failed to score against Arsenal when the two sides met in the FA Cup last month; on that occasion, a Nathan Ake goal was enough to give City the win at the Etihad.
Arsenal were arguably the better team for much of that encounter; will they enjoy a more favourable outcome on home turf this week?
Recent encounters in north London won’t exactly have the home side exuding confidence. In the Prem, City have won each of their last five visits to the Emirates.
It should be different now, except Arsenal have chosen precisely the wrong time to go off the boil. They drew to Brentford last time out, having lost to Everton a week earlier.
The hosts are showing signs of shakiness; City have not been at their best, but may be ready to take the initiative again. Surely any neutral will be willing on Arsenal; for all that, the visitors may just have the edge.
Either way, this may not be a goal heavy occasion. Four of Arsenal’s last five outings have featured two or fewer goals, while City have scored one goal or fewer in four of their last five away games in the Prem.
I think City may win, but I wouldn’t bank on it; instead, backing under 2.5 goals at 10/11 seems a decent punt.
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