Premier League Preview: Arsenal vs Manchester City
Arsenal are currently looking to prepare themselves for the arrival of Manchester City at the Emirates. The last time these two teams met this season, Arsenal went on to run riot and win by three goals to one. This was mainly thanks to the fact that City
picked up a red card in the opening five minutes of the game. However this time things might get a whole lot more interesting.
Arsenal are going to be going into the game, with no real injury concerns for a change. The team has almost everyone fit and rearing to go. Arsene Wenger is expected to field almost the exact same team, that went on to crush Birmingham by three goals to
nil. With the exceptions of the long term absentee’s, who include, Manuel Almunia, Thomas Vermaelen, Abou Diaby, Kieran Gibbs and Emmanuel Frimpong.
On the other hand, things don’t look all that bright for Manchester City. This is due to the fact that two of the team’s top players, David Silva and Mario Balotelli have managed to pick up injuries to their knees. As a result neither of them will be available
for the game.
Match Facts: Manchester City have managed to score only five goals in the thirteen matches they have played away to Arsenal. However they have not managed to score a single goal in their last three visits to the Emirates.
The last time City managed to beat Arsenal away from home, was way back in 1975. This was when City went on to beat the Gunners by a score of three goals to two.
Out of the last five matches that City have played away from home this season, they have managed to win four of them and lose none.
If Arsenal are to beat City tonight, it would be the first time this season that the team has gone on to win three matches in a row at home.
So far this season, most of the goals that Arsenal have conceded have come from set pieces. In fact half of the goals that have been conceded by the team, have come from set pieces and this is the highest ration in the league so far.
Currently Arsenal are the only team to have won twenty one points away from home, with City following close in their steps with their twenty points.
At the current moment, experts are slowly inclining towards Arsenal to come away from the match with the three points. This is only due to the fact that City’s two top players are set to miss the game due to injuries. However the last time these teams met,
the match was pretty much decided due to the early dismissal that City faced. If that does not happen this time around, then the game would be a great way to determine just how strong City have become this season and if Arsenal really are true title contenders.
All that’s left now is for the game to kick off, to determine what the outcome of the game will be.