Introduction
It’s a weekend thriller at Emirates! Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola lock horns in an apprentice vs master battle this Sunday. Arsenal is a team with little to lose this season thanks to their poor run of form. City on the other hand has been flying sky high. They recently became the first top tier team to win their first 10 calendar games. Many expect this fixture to be a simple demolition job for City but stranger things have happened in football.
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Why Should You be Watching?
Arsenal are the kings of untapped potential this season Their investment in young talent and strategic youth team promotions have created a team ready for tomorrow. Players like Emille and Tierney have grabbed their chances and shown the world what they are capable of. Factor a strong Saka and a potential star, Madrid loanee Odegaard in and you’ve got a team of young Lions. Sure these players have had more of an individual impact than a cohesive one but time is on their side.
City, who have been just magnificent over the last month look perched to win. Gundogan and Phil Foden’s brilliance has made many forget that the team lacks a concrete striker. Captain Sterling has also done well in the absence of De Bruyne and Diaz. However, there are only so many games a team can win before they eventually suffer a loss. Arteta managed to get the better of City in an FA cup surprise last season. The young manager will surely have a few tricks up his sleeve.
Build Up
Without Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Agüero, Manchester City have done perfectly well. Arsenal can hardly rejoice that both are pressing for starts after recently returning to the bench. If the Gunners are to end City’s winning run, Mikel Arteta will need his squad to feel new. At left-back, Kieran Tierney could return, but one or two of the front four might be rotated, hoping for extended participation from Nicolas Pépé and Alexandre Lacazette.
Arsenal form: WDLLWD
Manchester City form: WWWWWW
Head to Head
Going into this fixture, Arsenal has lost their last 7 league games to City. They won’t want to lose 8 consecutive times to a single opponent. A record they last set in the 70s when they kept losing to Leeds. Arsenal’s potential exists with their surprise Semi-Final FA win against City last season. Unfortunately, City has already beaten them 1-0 in the league and 4-1 in the EFL cup this season.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal
Manchester City
Players to Watch Out For
Aubamayang
Aubamayang came from Dortmund a while ago but he’s yet to have the desired impact at Emirates. He’s switched between brilliant games and mediocre performances so far. At his best, he’s capable of almost anything. Last year’s FA cup Semi-final saw his goal drown City’s hopes. He’ll hence be keen to get going tonight.
Bukayo Saka
Saka has come to rescue Arsenal time and again this season with his suave and prowess. He scored a magnificent equalizer in their last game as well. The English youngster is brimming with talent and potential. He, along with his Blue counterpart Foden has already been a major topic for the upcoming Euros.
Foden
This man has practically been a machine since the beginning of 2021. Assists, Goals, he can manage it all. He has been playing as well as any striker for the last few games. His versatility and movement are tough to track. This makes him a lethal threat in the final third. Surely, he’ll cause problems tonight.
Kevin De Bruyne
It’s been a while since Kevin has been off but he’s finally back. The Belgian maestro was subbed on late in the game against Everton. We are pretty sure that he’ll be benched in the beginning but he’s sure to make an appearance sooner or later. When he does, he can single-handedly change the way the game goes.
Conclusion
Can Arsenal end City’s winning streak? To do so, they have defensive capacities. The team of Mikel Arteta plays without the ball with imperious structure and has the potential to malfunction a free-flowing attack. They did so to City last season in their 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory. At the Emirates, they’ll be all the keener to win. City too will want to continue their rampant run of form. Time will tell if the Gunners have what it takes to take down the Cityzens.
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