ManchesterCityv Arsenal is without doubt, the Premier League game of the weekend, with both sides with plenty to prove by winning and both equally plenty to lose should the result go against them.
The two sides met in the Carling Cup quarter final just two weeks ago, which was settled by a goal converted with clinical precision by Sergio Aguero just as extra time beckoned. However, the teams of both Man City and Arsenal from that night will look completely different come Sunday afternoon but there are certain insights the game provided.
Under normal circumstances, Aguero’s goal should have been good enough to settle any match; it demonstrated just how goodManchesterCitycan be when in possession and how quick that can counter after being under pressure. The truth is however, it was Arsenal who were the better team on the night and there would have been few complaints from Roberto Mancini had his team been knocked out themselves. Moreover, in-keeping with his normal Carling Cup policy, manager, Arsene Wenger did not send out anything like a full strength side, a quartet of youngsters were given an opportunity along with one or two fringe players in a starting eleven that included only one player that had started the Premier League game against Fulham the previous weekend.
In contrast, City were star-studded but even then, the depth of their squad now means that any XI they field is star studden. However, the team selected by Mancini was unable to contain a free running, confident, inspired Arsenal, whose winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave City full back Kolarov and others a torrid time. Both teams preferred the attacking option to defend but in overall terms, it was the exuberant Arsenal who looked the most likely to win. Sunday’s game will offer The Gunners a perfect opportunity to gain their revenge.
City head in to the fixture following a couple of recent setbacks. They have been eliminated from the Champions League and lost their unbeaten record in the Premier League after losing out 1-2 toChelsealast Monday night in the space of a week. That setback most certainly would have widened the eyes of Wenger, who will be hoping that his side can add to City’s misery, a result that would throw the Premier League wide open in the process and putting Arsenal firmly back in the title race.
That said, Manchester City know that they must re-focus, regain the initiative and return to winning ways, which is why Mancini will no doubt field his strongest side in order to re-establish their early season authority. He will be expecting big games from the likes of David Silva, so far the best player in the Premiership this season, Sergio Aguero the club’s top scorer and Yaya Toure, who until the match against Chelsea arguably the best central midfield player in the league.
Mancini will undoubtedly look to take the game to Arsenal but he may decide that he will need some extra defensive insurance, particularly with the lethal Robin Van Persie, who is the League’s leading goalscorer with 15 so far this season, in opposition. Arsenal on the other hand will be hoping to continue their excellent run in the league which has seen them win eight from their last nine games.
A classic encounter could be on the cards in a game that might prove to be the most significant so far in the Premier League. Provided Arsenal can nullify the threat of Silva and play the passing game that suits them the most, it is more than viable that they can come away with all three points and cause a shock result but they play a City side that will be feeling the pressure and with Wenger’s side not expected to get anything from the game they may just well make for an interesting Christmas at the top of the Premier League.
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