What: English Premier League
Who: Manchester City vs Arsenal
When: Sunday 24th October, 2010, at 16:00 UK time
Where: City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England
Serious Contenders
Manchester City continued their impressive form lately by dispatching Lech Poznan in Europe’s second tier club competition, the Europa League. Three goals from Emmanuel Adebayor proved to be sufficient as The Blues recorded their first ever European hat-trick. A similar showing against Arsenal would definitely be welcome as Roberto Mancini’s title quest continues.
City are becoming, game by game, seen as legitimate title contenders, perhaps to such an extent that earlier in the week it appeared a good idea for Wayne Rooney to join the club from arch-rivals Manchester United. Rooney may have since backtracked and signed a new deal at Old Trafford, but the point is clear: it is now City who are considered the best bet for long-term success by those in the game. First though, a top four spot must be secured, and beating another "big four" club in Arsenal will help no end.
Five-Star Display
Arsenal head north full of confidence, having annihilated visitors Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek Champions League action. With returning skipper Cesc Fabregas leading the fray, The Gunners dismantled their Ukrainian opposition as Fabregas, Alex Song, Samir Nasri, Jack Whilshere and Marouane Chamakh all found the target, while former Arsenal player Eduardo was warmly applauded by the Emirates faithful for scoring Shakhtar’s sole goal.
Having lost to Chelsea earlier this month, the 2004 league champions will want to avoid dropping any further points to sides classed as direct rivals and continue to move towards the crucial Christmas period. However, Arsenal are well aware that City have progressed and developed even further since their last meeting and their threat was recognised by Fabregas: "They have all the ingredients to become a great club and we have to fight hard against them", said the Spaniard.
Recent form
Manchester City:
Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United (03/10; Premier League)
Blackpool 2-3 Manchester City
(17/10; Premier league)
Manchester City 3-1 Lech Poznan (21/10; Europa League)
Arsenal:
Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal
(03/10; Premier League)
Arsenal 2-1 Birmingham City
(16/10; Premier League)
Arsenal 5-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (19/10; Champions League)
Key absences
Manchester City: Michael Johnson; Mario Balotelli (doubt); Aleksandar Kolarov; Kolo Touré (doubt)
Arsenal: Thomas Vermaelen; Manuel Almunia; Aaron Ramsey; Robin van Persie (doubt); Jack Wilshere (suspended); Laurent Koscielny (doubt)
Players to watch
Manchester City – Emmanuel Adebayor: The striker was imperious against Lech Poznan, grabbing all goals for his side. While the rumours indicating that the Togo man is unhappy at Eastlands continue to circulate, a meeting with his old club will certainly push Adebayor to maintain his level of performance. With a point to prove and possible suitors to impress, Adebayor will be a threat.
Arsenal – Marouane Chamakh: While the Premier League return of Cesc Fabregas will no doubt be the focus on Sunday, the truth remains that Chamakh has been wonderful for Arsenal since his summer transfer from Bordeaux, so much so that Gunners fans are wondering why Arsene Wenger didn’t bite the bullet and buy him a year earlier. Three goals in his last four games proves Chamakh is on form; he must continue that against City.
Match prediction
Should champions Chelsea be the yardstick for this game, then the points will definitely be City’s, as they remain the only team to have beaten Carlo Ancelotti’s men in domestic competition. Arsenal have been on an impressive run of their own, and spirits will be high after their recent thrashing of Shakhtar Donetsk, but the truth remains that Roberton Mancini’s side are looking stronger by the week and should clinch all points with a 2-1 final score.
