Arsenal
This Premier League title race has been different from previous seasons in that even the top teams are prone to dropping points. Some Arsenal fans have taken issue with critics and supporters of other clubs who have suggested this, pointing to their team’s impressive number of wins this season. However, recent form has reminded everyone associated with the club that there is still a lot of hard work to be done.
Despite dropping points on Saturday, Arsenal is still leading the Premier League title race and aims to maintain its advantage over Manchester City when they host them on Wednesday. Arsenal’s lead over its closest rivals can be extended when they play a game in hand over City later in the season. However, for now, the focus is on improving their record of eight wins, two draws, and no losses at the Emirates Stadium in the league.
Arsenal’s recent form has been lackluster, with the team failing to secure a win in their last three matches across all competitions. They have only scored one goal in these fixtures and managed to earn just one point out of the six available in the Premier League. This is a stark contrast to their 10 consecutive home wins in the Premier League, including the first seven games of this season, which has now been disrupted by draws against Newcastle United and Brentford, sandwiched by the injury time win over Manchester United.
Despite this dip in form, Mikel Arteta has maintained his trust in a small group of players. However, Leandro Trossard, who scored in their recent game, may be pushing for a start. Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus are still in the recovery phase and are not expected to be included in the team.
Arsenal Last 5 Results
➖ 11/02/23. 16:00 Arsenal – Brentford 1 : 1 (0 : 0) (1 : 1) Premier League
❌ 04/02/23. 13:30 Everton – Arsenal 1 : 0 (0 : 0) (1 : 0) Premier League
❌ 27/01/23. 21:00 Manchester City – Arsenal 1 : 0 (0 : 0) (1 : 0) FA Cup
✅ 22/01/23. 17:30 Arsenal – Manchester United 3 : 2 (1 : 1) (2 : 1) Premier League
✅ 15/01/23. 17:30 Tottenham Hotspur – Arsenal 0 : 2 (0 : 2) (0 : 0) Premier League
Manchester City
Manchester City had a difficult week, suffering a loss at Tottenham Hotspur and facing accusations of financial manipulation in the Premier League. Although they missed the opportunity to capitalize on Arsenal’s loss to Everton last weekend, they bounced back in spectacular fashion by crushing Aston Villa on Sunday, narrowing the gap on the league leaders who had dropped points the day before.
As a result, the defending champions are now within three points of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and can overtake them with a win on Wednesday. However, they have already played one more game than Arsenal and have shown some vulnerability on the road, with a record of 5 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses in the top flight.
Manchester City’s recent form has been positive, winning four out of their last five games across all competitions. However, all four of those victories were achieved at the Etihad Stadium, with the exception of a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. In fact, they have lost their last three away games in all competitions and surprisingly scored only once during these matches.
While their win on Sunday was relatively easy, it may have come at a cost for the club, as Erling Haaland was withdrawn at halftime due to a knock. Haaland’s availability for the next game is doubtful, although the feeling is that he was being cautious in a game that Manchester City was already leading 3-0. John Stones is expected to miss out due to injury, but other than these two players, the squad is largely healthy.
Manchester City
✅ 12/02/23. 17:30 Manchester City – Aston Villa 3 : 1 (3 : 0) (0 : 1) Premier League
❌ 05/02/23. 17:30 Tottenham Hotspur – Manchester City 1 : 0 (1 : 0) (0 : 0) Premier League
✅ 27/01/23. 21:00 Manchester City – Arsenal 1 : 0 (0 : 0) (1 : 0) FA Cup
✅ 22/01/23. 15:00 Manchester City – Wolverhampton Wanderers 3 : 0 (1 : 0) (2 : 0) Premier League
✅ 19/01/23. 21:00 Manchester City – Tottenham Hotspur 4 : 2 (0 : 2) (4 : 0) Premier League
Head to Head
In the FA Cup Fourth Round at the end of January, Manchester City secured a 1-0 win over Arsenal on their home turf.
In addition, they have won their last six games at the Emirates Stadium, although they had to mount a comeback in a match there last season. During that fixture, Arsenal and Manchester City were tied at 1-1 when Gabriel was sent off for the home team. Pep Guardiola’s men had to wait until injury time to score the winning goal and secure the three points.
TWV Sport Thoughts
A highly anticipated match that was initially scheduled for earlier in the season has been postponed to a crucial period in mid-February.
Many believe that the Premier League title race will ultimately boil down to a direct battle between Arsenal and Manchester City, and the two league matches they have against each other will be critical in determining the outcome.
Despite having drawn two out of their last three Premier League matches at home, Arsenal will still have the advantage of playing the first league game at their own stadium. While their recent form may not be the most encouraging, it is still considered stronger than Manchester City’s away record, which has seen them lose three consecutive matches in all competitions, including back-to-back defeats in the Premier League at the hands of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester City’s performances away from home have been less dominant this season, and the injury to Erling Haaland is a setback. Arsenal’s recent defensive displays in their last two Premier League matches against Everton and Brentford have been underwhelming, with particular concern about the chances that Everton created.
However, Mikel Arteta should have a good understanding of Manchester City’s style of play, and Arsenal’s fast attacking players possess the confidence and quality to exploit the weaknesses in City’s defence. Although recent form shows only one goal scored in the last three games across all competitions, Arsenal’s counter-attacking ability could prove dangerous, especially since Manchester City have only kept one clean sheet in their last five away games across all competitions.
Manchester City’s lack of goals away from home has been an issue throughout the season, but they have been successful at the Emirates Stadium, winning their last six games there. Last season, Rodri scored a late winner in this fixture, and Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup Fourth Round could give them a mental advantage in this important Premier League match.
Although Manchester City are favoured to win, Arsenal’s recent form is worrying. However, both teams may prioritise attacking and scoring goals as their best defence, which could result in a game with at least two goals based on the underlying numbers from recent matches.
Neither team seems confident defensively, but both can create chances, and an early goal could open up the game. Although both managers will be aware of the importance of avoiding a loss, Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola are unlikely to settle for a draw until very late in the game, making it a potentially attacking fixture with at least two to three goals.
Match Result Prediction
➖ Both teams to draw.
Score Prediction
Arsenal 1 – 1 Manchester City
