One of the most hotly anticipated matches of this season rolls around this Monday, as Arsenal welcome title rivals Manchester City to the Emirates for their 17th league match of the campaign.
Arsenal have returned to winning ways in December as they are forced into the congested winter period. They’ve won their last three matches in all competitions, recently secured a place in the UEFA Champions League’s knockout stages, and find themselves second in the league. Last weekend, the Gunners travelled up to the West Midlands and were unchallenged by bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa, dominating the occasion and winning comfortably by a margin of two goals, courtesy of the in-form Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey. Arsene Wenger set up his side to be effective when counter-attacking, controlling the pace of the game and allowed themselves a trouble-free afternoon. Leicester winning on Saturday means that whatever the result tomorrow, Arsenal won’t take pole position in the league, but it’s a great chance to put distance between them and the blue of Manchester.
The opposition have had a largely strong campaign so far (as expected) as the Premier League’s sides approach the half-way mark, marred by slip-ups along the way. Manuel Pellegrini’s side sit third in the league and have had promising form recently, such good form marred by an away defeat to Stoke. Their last was a nervy 2-1 home win over relegation-threatened Swansea City. The Citizens just about got by, relying on an injury-time deflected winner by youngster Kelechi Iheanacho, but it wasn’t a performance that would’ve lifted the morale of the City squad. The manager had been hindered by injuries to the likes of Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Vincent Kompany this season – players expected to lead by example – which have hurt his side’s results, but City remain in a good position to still challenge for the title, especially with the players at disposal.
A player Arsenal need to watch out for is Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian was rested on the bench last weekend and should be raring to go in north London this Monday, to try and disassemble the Arsenal back-line. De Bruyne has had a great start to his career in sky blue, and offers a direct attacking threat stemming from how he almost seamlessly can transform from an attacking midfielder to a second striker. Arsenal will find it difficult to stop his penetrative play-style.
The player Manchester City need to watch out for is Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman has been in fine form recently and has been a reliable and prolific goalscorer so far this season. His physicality and boost in confidence should cause havoc for a City defence that will be without skipper Vincent Kompany. With five goals already this month, he’s a solid bet to deliver.
Match facts
– Arsenal have won 89 of the 179 recorded matches between the two teams, with a win percentage of 49.72%.
– The Gunners have only won once out of the last five meetings between the two. The other four have resulted in two City wins and another two draws.
– The back-line in red and white have been leaky against the Citizens, conceding eleven times in their last five match-ups.
– The north London side hold the home advantage against the Sky Blues, winning 53 out of the 89 recorded home matches between the two.
– Olivier Giroud has scored 11 times in his last 13 matches for Arsenal.
– The aforementioned Frenchman hit 50 goals in Arsenal shirt last weekend, 17 of those scored with his head.
– Mesut Özil has created 16 clear-cut chances his season, already matching the highest amount of clear-cut chances created in the last.
– The German averages having a part in a goal once a league game this season, with two goals and 13 assists in fifteen Premier League appearances this season.
Team news
Thankfully, Arsenal picked up no new injuries at Villa Park last Sunday. Francis Coquelin, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Danny Welbeck and Santi Cazorla all remain in the treatment room. A boost for Arsene Wenger’s team selection, however, the Frenchman revealed in his news conference that Alexis Sanchez was back in training and is in contention for the bench on Monday.
The Gunners will be dreading news coming from Manchester that Sergio Aguero is gaining fitness ahead of Monday’s game, and has a “50-50” chance of starting. The tricky Argentinian would certainly offer a worry for the Gunners back four. However, Vincent Kompany remains out injured. Expect Kevin De Bruyne to start on Monday after being rested on the bench against Swansea last weekend.
Predicted XIs
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Flamini; Campbell, Özil, Walcott; Giroud.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart; Sagna, Mangala, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Touré; De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Aguero.
