Manchester City get their title defence underway on Sunday afternoon with a trip to the Emirates to take on Arsenal, where new manager Unai Emery faces a baptism of fire in his face game in charge.
The Gunners have been quietly going about their business this summer, with a number of signings coming in and optimism has grown among the fanbase that they’ll qualify for the Champions League this season, after a two-year hiatus. However, the story of Stan Kroenke taking full control of the club has dampened hopes slightly, but it’s on the field where they hope there’ll be an improvement after years of malaise under Arsene Wenger. They do however face a very difficult start to the season, with Manchester City this weekend before taking on Chelsea away next week.
Manchester City only made one big transfer this summer and that was the arrival of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester, who Guardiola has wanted for almost 18 months now. They stormed their way to the title last season, and now they have to do it all over again. Arsenal will have to be at their best and hit the ground running if they’re to strike an early blow into City’s title chances.
Arsenal vs. Manchester City Predictions
Arsenal face a tough start to the season, but they’d have known that since the fixtures were announced, and Emery would have prepared them accordingly. They’ll be better than they have been in previous years and I’d have fancied Arsenal prior to the Community Shield game last week. City were ruthless in that game, which leads me to believe that they’ll win this game quite easily.
Arsenal vs. Manchester City Betting Tips
Head to Head
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last five Premier League meetings with Arsenal (W3 D2) and have lost only two of the last 12 (W5 D5).
- Arsenal have won only one of their last six league matches against Manchester City at the Emirates, a 2-1 win in December 2015.
- Both teams have played 42 times in the Premier League. Arsenal have won 23, Manchester City have won nine and there have been 10 draws.
- Manchester City have won 31 of their last 36 Premier League matches.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Arsenal’s last 10 home Premier League games.
- Arsenal have scored at least three goals in their last five home Premier League games.
- Arsenal are undefeated in 24 of their last 26 home Premier League matches.
Arsenal Team News
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is likely to start at left-back with both Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac both out injured. Laurent Koscielny is still missing with his Achilles injury suffered at the end of last season, while there’s also a doubt over Aaron Ramsey.
Possible Arsenal XI: Bernd Leno, Hector Bellerin, Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Manchester City Team News
Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne are all set to miss out after returning to training late. Aymeric Laporte is an injury doubt, meaning that John Stones could get a chance to secure a starting spot in the heart of their defence.
Possible Manchester City XI: Ederson, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Vincent Kompany, Benjamin Mendy, Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero
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