Manchester City travel to the red half of North London to take on Arsenal in a crucial clash for a top four finish. City are in third place in the league, unbeaten in their last six games, but have drawn the last two. Arsenal meanwhile are in freefall with four league defeats in their last five league games and their two most recent victories coming against non-league Sutton and Lincoln in the FA Cup.
Arsene Wenger’s record of delivering Champions League football has never been more under threat than it has been this season. His team are currently in sixth place in the league, with two games in hand on fourth placed Liverpool, however the Gunners can’t afford any more slip-ups between now and the end of the season.
Manchester City played out a thrilling 1-1 draw with Liverpool in their last game before the international break. However, the result left City 12 points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea in the table and their title hopes look all but gone. In reality, they were gone the week before, when they were held to a goalless draw by Stoke at home.
Arsenal vs. Manchester City Predictions
Manchester City won 2-1 when the two sides met in the reverse fixture in December and it wouldn’t be a surprise if that was to happen again. The confidence in the Arsenal team will be low, while City’s will be high, and this season looks to be the one which could blight Arsene Wenger’s legacy at the club. However, think back to a couple of seasons ago when Arsenal went to the Etihad and were resilient and beat City. It may be an anomaly, but it might just happen again.
Arsenal vs. Manchester City Betting Tips
Manchester City come into this game as slight favourites at 5/4, while Arsenal are available at 2/1. The draw is priced at 51/20. Both sides have issues defending, so over 3.5 goals is priced at 29/20, while Sergio Aguero leads the goalscoring markets for Manchester City, at 15/4 to score first. Theo Walcott has been on a lean spell when it comes to goals, but he has an excellent record against City and is priced at 27/20 to score anytime.
Head to Head
- Arsenal have lost just one of 19 previous home Premier League matches against Manchester City (W12 D6).
- Manchester City are looking to do the double over Arsenal in a league season for the first time since 1975/76.
- The last seven Premier League meetings between these two sides have produced 27 goals (3.86 per game).
- Arsene Wenger has won just two of his previous nine competitive meetings with Pep Guardiola (W2 D2 L5), both in the Champions League.
- Theo Walcott has scored four goals in his last four Premier League games against Manchester City, but he hasn’t scored in the league since December (against City).
Arsenal Team News
Petr Cech picked up a calf injury against West Brom, meaning David Ospina will have another opportunity to impress in the league. Lucas Perez is doubtful with a thigh strain, but Kieran Gibbs could return at left back. Mesut Ozil came off the bench for Germany in the international break and could return to the Arsenal starting line-up, but Santi Cazorla remains out for the rest of the season.
Manchester City Team News
Kevin De Bruyne is a doubt for Sunday’s game at the Emirates as he’s suffering from a groin injury. The only other absentees for Pep Guardiola are long term, with Gabriel Jesus out with a broken metatarsal and Ilkay Gundogan with a serious knee injury.