Arsenal vs Man City: Preview & Prediction

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Match Preview:

The first Premier League game of 2022 should be a great encounter as these two teams prepare to do battle at the Emirates.

Arsenal have come on leaps and bounds after having consecutively disappointing seasons but instead of trying to finish in the top 10 they are aiming now for a top four place. By advancing up the table and then beating 4th placed West Ham a couple of weeks ago Arsenal have taken hold of 4th position and come into this game with 35 points. They have shot four points clear of the Hammers, although their main threats are most likely Manchester United and Tottenham who have games in hand over the Gunners and are not far behind.

There has been a fluidity about Arsenal ever since they were beaten by Everton and in their last game they thumped Norwich 5-0. This is a result that may have been expected but take Manchester United’s recent victory over the Canaries, a 1-0 win. Arsenal are playing good football, looking confident and scoring goals. Since losing to Everton Mikel Arteta’s side have won four games in a row.

At home Arsenal have the 2nd best record in the league and have won 22 points from a possible 27. The one blemish at the Emirates is for a team who have one of the best home records they are not scoring many goals, just 17 so far. For example West Ham who have the 9th best home record have scored more.

Manchester City have had a great 10 days. They keep winning games and have seen their main rivals Chelsea and Liverpool slip up. It means that they have pulled out an 8 point lead at the top. Liverpool have a game in hand and if they were to win that the gap would be six points, but for a side as good as City that is a healthy lead. Pep Guardiola’s side have won 10 games in a row, secured with their recent 1-0 win over Brentford. That score line may have felt deflating given that City had scored 17 goals in their previous three games, but a win is still 3 points and City are marching on.

Arsenal have one of the best home records, well City have the best away record so something has to give here. It’s 8 wins from 10 games with one draw and just one defeat. City are scoring on average 2 goals per game on their travels and have only conceded six goals, that’s the joint best record alongside Chelsea.

Team News: 

Arsenal: Cedric, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Calum Chambers and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all out with Covid-19. Sead Kolasinac is not due back for another two weeks at least with his ankle injury.

Manchester City: Rodri and Kyle Walker will be assessed because of a lack of match fitness but are being pencilled in to return for the game. Joao Cancelo could miss this game after being assaulted at home in an alleged robbery. John Stones is carrying a knock and could be assessed. 

Arsenal vs Man City Head to Head:

Last season Manchester City won this fixture 1-0.

Manchester City have won the last 4 meetings over Arsenal in a row. 

Arsenal have not beaten Manchester City in a league game for 6 years.

There is a 60% chance to see over 2.5 goals.                                                          

Arsenal vs Man City Prediction:

Manchester City are akin to a huge reptile swatting teams with their tails and this would be a huge win for the club away to a team who have a near perfect record at home. It would be another statement win that is for sure. City are the odds on favourites although it is worth to note that instead of being their usual 1.30, they are being quoted at 1.50, finally the bookmakers are having some respect for Arteta’s team.

Arteta of course will be up against Guardiola his mentor and will be trying to get his first win over him. You sense that this Arsenal side are going to give City a game and be strong. The problem is Arsenal’s passage of play does play into how City like other teams to come out at them and attack. It’s not possible to totally discount Arsenal here, and perhaps backing the Gunners to win on the handicap could be a shrewd choice. But we will stick with the powerhouse of City, a club that have a total belief in their manager and of winning this title.

Arsenal vs Man City Betting Tips:

Manchester City to beat Arsenal at 1.50

Correct Score: Manchester City to win 2-1 or 3-1 at 8.00 and 11.00

Both teams to score at 1.57