Manchester City vs Arsenal | Sunday 22 September | The Etihad Stadium | 17:30
In all honesty I cannot believe that there are some who believe that this fixture is indicative of who is going to win the League…I mean, if City have points deducted, surely United are a shoo-in?
Ok, it might be too much now, and I think we need to see decorum restored here.
To Win (90 mins)
Manchester City 15/20
Draw 23/10
Arsenal 36/10
Manchester City
What do say about this City team? I mean seriously though, what do you say when trying to analyse their playing style or ability…you certainly don’t need me to do that for you – because we all say the same thing! They are unstoppable, they are immense, they are unbelievable, and the superlative is truly perpetual.
Erling Haaland is a generational talent – I bet you have never heard that one before!
No, but in all honesty, they are a team to behold. There are games where they absolutely blow the opposition away, play them off the park and then almost simultaneously, there are games where they are asked to be gritty and aggressive. Where they are required to break down compact blocks and dislodge secure shapes. The result is always the same though – City come out on top.
Arsenal
I know a lot has been made about Mikel Arteta signing his new deal – and celebrating with a North London Derby win – but I wonder whether that has any effect at all on his focus with the club? I know I’m being facetious…
Rice and Odegaard are massive losses to the Arsenal side though, and even though they are replaced with quality in the likes of Jorginho and Thomas Partey – they were missed against Spurs. Arsenal was susceptible to the counterattack and against a more clinical outfit, I think the result could have been quite different on Sunday.
I’m not sure how many chances Arsenal will create here, City have seemingly added the ability to suffocate a side to their already growing list and as a result I’m not sure the Arsenal can find a way to win this.
Prediction: City (15/20)
Not the most exciting prediction by any stretch of the imagination – but a banker nonetheless and one around which you can build your weekend multiple! Yes, I said it – get on it!
Ryan Liberty