Manchester City v Arsenal: The Opposition
09/20/2024 03:45 PM
A Look at City's Weekend Opponents
Manchester City face their second big test of the Premier League campaign as they welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium. The Blues have a 100% league record so far this season and sit at the top of the table, while the Gunners, runners-up again last season, lie two points behind City in 2nd place.
Many are expecting these two to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season and, while Sunday's result will not determine the destination of the Premier League title, it will give a small indication of how the teams view each other.
Form
Arsenal are just two points behind the Blues in the table, having won three of their opening four fixtures so far this season, The Gunners got off to a good start with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Wolves, then recorded a victory by the same score at Aston Villa a week later. A surprise 1-1 draw at home to Brighton followed, and Arsenal marked their first match after the international break with a 1-0 Derby win at Spurs.
In midweek, Arsenal emulated City and drew a blank in their opening Champions League match against Atalanta. The Gunners had an indifferent pre-season, drawing with Bournemouth and beating United, before losing to Liverpool and hammering Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal are getting closer and closer to the title, and Gunners fans believe this season will be the one where they manage it.
Ones to Watch
Goals can come from any part of this Arsenal side but the main danger comes from Kai Havertz. The former Chelsea man has scored two goals from four matches and attempted ten shots so far. He has a goal conversion rate of 20% and a shot accuracy rating of 50%.
Bukayo Saka has scored one goal to date and Arsenal have also added for City star Raheem Sterling to their ranks, Despite him not scoring for the Gunners, Sterling will return to the Etihad Stadium with a point to prove with his new club.
Despite scoring just one goal, Saka is the main threat in creating goals. He has four assists so far and created ten chances in the Premier League this season. He has attempted 93 passes so far, 76 of which have been successful. Saka has a pass accuracy of an impressive 82%.
Havertz has one assist and so far, he and Saka are running the show for the Gunners. Stop those two and City will have a good chance of taking the three points on Sunday.
The Boss
Mikel Arteta, everyone's favourite Lego man, celebrates his fifth year in charge at Arsenal since leaving City. After winning the FA Cup in his first season, he has since only won the Community Shield on two occasions.
Arteta has overseen 237 matches for Arsenal, winning 140 and losing 57, giving him a win percentage of 59%.
Last Time Out
Last March, the two played out a defensive goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium as the title run-in took shape.
