Arsenal will be looking to close in on the European places with a win when they take on Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners have endured a tough season and head into the weekend sitting mid-table having only won 10 of their 24 Premier League matches so far this campaign so Mikel Arteta is under pressure to turn things around.
Arsenal did impress during a 4-2 victory over Leeds United last weekend but were held to a 1-1 draw by Benfica in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday night. With the Londoners struggling domestically, Arteta may see the Europa as the priority as winning that competition would put Arsenal back in the Champions League.
However, they can’t put all their eggs in one basket so Arsenal still need a positive result against City to boost their top 6 hopes but that’s easier said than done as the Citizens arrive at the Emirates in formidable form.
Pep Guardiola’s men extended their winning streak to 16 games in all competitions with a 3-1 win at Everton and they sit 10 points clear at the top of the table so they’ll be confident of seeing-off an inconsistent Arsenal side.
Betting odds
Given their superb form recently, it’s no surprise that Manchester City are the 1/2 favourites with betting sites like Betfred to win the game on Sunday afternoon. Arsenal can be backed at 5/1 to win – which are huge odds considering they are playing at home – while the draw is available at 7/2.
A 1-1 draw could tempt some punters at odds of 7/1 but the smart money is on a Man City victory and 2-1 to the visitors looks good value at 13/2. If we add Raheem Sterling as first goal-scorer in a 2-1 City win, the odds increase to a whopping 48/1.
Team news
Arsenal will continue to be without the services of summer signing Thomas Partey as the midfielder is still recovering from a niggling thigh injury that’s hampered him recently.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang recovered from an ankle knock to start against Benfica so he’s available this weekend while the likes of Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding, Nicolas Pepe, Gabriel Martinelli, Willian and Alexandre Lacazette are all pushing for recalls.
Manchester City will be without Nathan Ake as the centre-back is still only able to train individually away from the main squad as he continues to recover from a muscle problem.
Ilkay Gundogan will face a late fitness test after missing the Everton game with a groin injury but Guardiola will hope he’s fit as the German midfielder has been in superb form this season.
Prediction
Arsenal certainly have the potential to give City problems on home soil and Arteta knows the club well having been Guardiola’s assistant before taking the managers job at the Emirates. The Gunners also look more of a threat going forward with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe in attack.
However, there is no getting away from City’s formidable form and they have to be the firm favourites in this match. I expect a well contested match but Man City will be too strong. Arsenal 1-2 Man City
