Manchester City vs Arsenal- Match Preview
The biggest match of English Premier League weekend is surely the clash between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday. City who spent 130 million pounds in the summers to bring in big names from all over Europe have been dubbed as serious title contenders
this season. The optimism may not be ill placed considering the citizens are lying in 2nd place after 8 rounds of matches. The blue team from Manchester have given a good account of themselves this season so far. City managed to end Chelsea’s unbeaten
run by beating them 1-0, and also beat Liverpool 3-0. The match against Arsenal may be another big test for Roberto Mancini’s men.
Manchester City have been in good form, and last weekend came away with a hard fought 3-2 win in a tricky game against Blackpool. It was thanks to City’s new captain Carlos Tevez who scored 2 and the left winger from Spain David Silva also got his name on
the score sheet.
City would once again be looking towards the same pair to lead the attack when the gunners come calling at Eastlands. City manager Roberto Mancini has enough options when it comes to attacking players, but he would be pleased to have received the good news
that his Italian buy Mario Balotelli is fit again and raring to go.
The young Italian striker was brought in for 23 million pounds but has not been able to get much action. An interesting decision for Mancini would be to make on the attacking duo. Carlos Tevez in the centre and David Silva on the left have been combining
well, but Emmanuel Adebayor ended his recent goal drought midweek with a hat trick against Lech Poznan in the Europa League. The Togo striker is a former Arsenal player and left the club on a bitter note, and there is no doubt that he would love to start against
his former club. If Tevez and Adebayor both start Roberto Mancini would be expected to start with a formation of 4-4-2. Yahya Toure the former Barcelona man may be the one to miss out despite getting fit in time. While his brother Kolo is still out with a
hamstring injury and may be a late call for the manager.
Arsenal look determined to get one over City and prove that they are stronger title challengers, and a win would also move Arsenal over Manchester City on goal difference. Arsene Wenger’s team though has not been playing exceptionally well away from home
this season. Defence is also a worry for Arsenal who have not managed to keep a single clean sheet in last 15 away games now.
Another fact that goes against the gunners is their not so impressive record at the City of Manchester Stadium. Arsenal have lost 4 of their last 5 games at Eastlands. Cesc Fabregas played his first game after a long injury layoff, during the 5-1 win in
midweek in Champions League. Fabregas did look good and ready for action; Wenger would also be hoping that his other key players like Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner can also recover in time.
This season Arsenal have been hot and cold, they thumped Blackpool early on in the season 6-0, while 3 weeks ago suffered a shock 3-2 defeat against West Brom, where at one stage they were trailing 3-0.
Arsene Wenger said that his team is ready to take the next step this season, and a match against Manchester City may just be what they need to start a serious surge towards the title.
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