All eyes will be on Emirates Stadium when Arsenal and Manchester City
face each other in the Premier League derby. The Gunners made a slow
start to the season, and, as a result, Spanish tactician Unai Emery is
no longer in charge of the capital club. Interim manager Freddy
Ljungberg is eager to help the team regain much-needed confidence, and
a win over the star-studded title holders will surely give the hosts a
confidence boost.
A man to keep an eye on in the home team will be Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang, who is likely to pose a big threat to the opposition
defenders. The Citizens, on the other hand, suffered a heart-breaking
2-1 loss to their local rivals Manchester United in their last league
fixture. Since both Arsenal and Man City are eager to get back on
course in the Premier League, both teams to score bet should be
considered.
Man City has underperformed this English Premier League Season. City
has 32 points. That’s 6 points behind Leicester City and 14 points
behind Liverpool. They know they’re better than this. Arsenal hasn’t
improved. They only have 19 points. Man City will make a statement on
Sunday. They win by at least 2 goals. Don’t be surprised if they win
by 3.
Arsenal finally recorded their first win in all competitions since
October with a 3-1 victory over West Ham on Monday night. Goals from
Gabriel Martinelli, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were
enough for the three points, in what was interim head coach Freddie
Ljungberg’s first win in charge.
The night was soured, however, by an injury in the warm-up to Hector
Bellerin, who was replaced in the starting line-up by Ainsley
Maitland-Niles. Kieran Tierney also had to be withdrawn after landing
awkwardly to sustain a shoulder injury.
Hector Bellerin was originally named in the starting line-up by
Freddie Ljungberg, but picked up a hamstring complaint in the warm-up
at London Stadium.
Speaking after the game, the Arsenal interim head coach offered an
update on the full-back.
“Hector had a feeling in his hamstring during the warm-up and we took
the decision [to not risk him],” he said.
“Not going to force anyone to play if they don’t feel 100%. It was a
straight swap on that with Ainsley. Ainsley has been out in the cold a
little bit but came in and did really well. I’m really proud of him.”
Bellerin will be assessed ahead of the trip to Standard Liege on
Thursday but is likely to miss the game, with the clash against
Manchester City at the weekend in mind.
Kieran Tierney,the Scottish left-back started the game against West
Ham but had to be withdrawn after 29 minutes.
Tierney landed awkwardly in his own box, and picked up a shoulder
injury. Sead Kolasinac came on to replace the former Celtic defender.
After the game, Freddie Ljungberg said: “Tierney, it’s something with
his shoulder but I don’t know exactly what that is. We obviously had
to take him off. He’s going to hospital to get it checked.”
Howevwr, Manchester City’s defensive injury crisis has deepened ahead
of Premier League clash with Arsenal.
Already without Aymeric Laporte due to a serious knee problem, Pep
Guardiola was once again forced to use Fernandinho as a centre-back
against Manchester United on Saturday evening.
But following the 2-1 derby loss at the Etihad Stadium, the City boss
is down to just one fit senior central defender.This is because John
Stones limped off after 58 minutes.
The England international has already missed a portion of the season
with a muscle injury and looked downbeat upon realising that he was
unable to continue against the Red Devils despite treatment and was
swiftly replaced by Nicolas Otamendi.
Now the Argentine – who scored what turned out to be a consolation
against United – is in line to make only his second Premier League
start since that poor showing in the 2-0 home loss at the hands of
Wolves at the beginning of October.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Arsenal. Matches. Win. Draw. Lose
Overall. 38. 3 12. 23
Home. 19. 1 8. 10
Away. 19. 2 4 13
Man City. Matches. Win. Draw. Lose
Overall. 38. 18. 8. 12
Home. 19. 12. 3 4
Away. 19. 6 5 8
