Arsenal’s recent outings to the Etihad have been less than favourable, with the Gunners coming away empty-handed in their last eight trips. Their record against City in league encounters isn’t much better, having been bested in 12 out of their last 13 matchups. City, on the other hand, have been formidable at home, securing victories in eight of their last nine matches. This clash is poised to be the highlight of the weekend, potentially pivotal in determining who will lift the Premier League trophy this season. The stakes couldn’t be higher as these titans are separated by a mere point, with Liverpool also hot on their heels in an exceptionally close title race.
Arsenal’s Etihad woes The Gunners haven’t managed to dodge defeat at City’s stronghold since a draw back in May 2016, just before Pep Guardiola’s tenure began. Under Guardiola’s guidance, City have dominated this fixture, overshadowing Arsenal’s lone victory in their first encounter this season, a match City contested without key players Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne due to suspension and injury, respectively.
Now, with the squad at full strength and their notorious late-season surge in form, City appear primed to extend their winning record. Guardiola’s knack for engineering a title-winning momentum in the latter stages of the season poses a formidable challenge for Arsenal.
De Bruyne’s Arsenal ambition Despite Arsenal’s commendable eight-match winning streak in the league, a recent setback against Porto highlights vulnerabilities City are well-equipped to exploit, thanks to their superior attacking prowess. Kevin De Bruyne, in particular, poses a significant threat to the Gunners. With an impressive track record against Arsenal, scoring more goals against them than any other team, De Bruyne’s influence on this match could be decisive.
Given City’s impressive home form and their historical upper hand over Arsenal, it’s reasonable to back City for a win. However, Arsenal’s consistent performance, even in challenging away fixtures, suggests a tightly contested match could be on the cards.
