With just 9 games to go in the 2023/2024 English Premier League (EPL) season, and just a single point separating them in 1st and 3rd, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners dare enter Pep Guardiola’s City to try and increase the gap between the two title contenders.
Such an outcome on Sunday would go a long way to pretty much all but make Arsenal the outright favourites to be named the champions of the English Premier League for the first time in a very very long time.
Defending Champions, City, Will Have the Etihad Roaring
Manchester City have looked like a team slightly off the pace compared to the team they were last season and it has been noticed by their opponents as reflected in their results against the big sides.
However, their incredible home form this season should be more than enough inspiration for them going into this game against the leaders of the EPL standings, Arsenal.
Pep’s side has not lost a single game at the Etihad this season in all competitions with teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Brighton, Newcastle and Brentford, the last team to beat City at the Etihad, having all been there.
Together with Liverpool, City are the only team to not have lost a single game in all their 14 league games at home and one can expect the “Citizen Blue Army” to roar the loudest they have roared this season when Arsenal come into town on Sunday.
Gunners' Recent Edge Over City & Their Great Away Form
Mikel Arteta's side after suffering losses in all three games he played against Man. City last season seems to have found the remedy to City’s poison as Arsenal have beaten City in the two games the two sides have played this season in all competitions (one via penalties.
That should be Arsenal's greatest source of inspiration going into this encounter but if for some reason that should not be enough, the Gunners’ incredible away form should be a very potent substitute.
Arsenal have the most points, (29), from their 14 games played outside the Emirates in which they have managed to win 9 games, draw 2, and lose just 3, the same as their opponents on Sunday, Manchester City.
Last season, Arsenal led the EPL table for a very long time and fluttered when it mattered most, losing the EPL title to City by succumbing to heavy defeats at their hands, now is the opportunity for them to exact a little revenge.
Possible Absentees:
According to reports, the likes of Bukayo Saka, Kevin De Bryne, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Gabriel Martilleni, Akanji, Ederson, and Matheus Nunes, could all miss the all-important clash for both City and Arsenal.
Match Stats
Manchester City are ranked 3rd in goals scored per match (2.3 goals) while Arsenal is ranked 1st in goals scored per match (2.5 goals) in the EPL this season.
Arsenal are ranked 2nd away from home this season in the league together with City. However, they have kept the most clean sheets in the competition (11) and have been awarded the most penalties this season (8).
At least one goal has been scored by Manchester City in all of their last 55 home matches in all competitions with Erling Haaland the EPL’s top scorer (18 goals).
Manchester City's most recent record of 43 consecutive home games in all competitions consists of no losses.
You can check out the Manchester City vs Arsenal EPL game on MSport here
