What: English Premier League
Who: Arsenal vs Manchester City
When: Sunday, 13th January, 2012, at 16:00 UK Time
Where: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Injury Free Arsenal Boost Arsene Wenger
Arsenal will be looking to make a good start to what promises to be the toughest month of their season. The visit of Manchester City starts a run that then takes in successive games against Swansea, Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool within a fortnight, and then looming is a clash with Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
It is not what Arsenal will have wanted to try and get their season back on track and force their way into the top four of the Premier League. With Abou Diaby making his comeback during the week, that means that for the first time in what seems like years, manager Arsene Wenger can select a team without a single significant injury or suspension hampering his plans, although there is a slight doubt over the fitness of Olivier Giroud. It will be interesting to see over the coming weeks what effect that has on Arsenal, who have looked at their most sluggish when tired. If the last game against Southampton is anything to go by, Wenger’s reluctance to rotate could end up costing the Gunners.
Victory against Manchester City would be a major boost for Arsenal, reinforcing belief in a squad regaining confidence. Goals have been flowing of late, with Theo Walcott chief among them, and he is set to boost Arsenal by signing a new deal in the days to come. The defence looks, if not solid, at least settled, and it is likely that a new forward, possibly Adrian Lopez, will be at the Emirates Stadium before the transfer window is out. The challenge now is for Arsenal to take advantage of fresh legs, a big transfer budget and no injuries to finally develop some consistency.
Depleted Manchester City Look To Rein in Manchester United
The Manchester United vs Liverpool encounter could have an impact on this match. By the start of this game, Manchester City are likely to either be buoyed by a result which gives them the chance to make inroads into their neighbours' lead at the top of the table, or dismayed that what looks like a plausible opportunity for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to slip up has been missed. Either way, Manchester City need to win this game and it is the type of match that they must, to make up what is at present a seven-point deficit. When in such a position, a side needs to be able to go away to some of the league’s bigger sides and turn them over.
Boss Roberto Mancini faces a number of personnel problems though. There was the (latest) much publicised spat with Mario Balotelli which threatens to see the Italian turfed out of the club before the end of the transfer window, Sergio Aguero is injured, Samir Nasri is suspended, Yaya Toure is away at the African Cup of Nations. Yet such is Manchester City’s strength in depth, they can still field a front three of David Silva, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez. Few clubs, if any, can boast such options in reserve.
Manchester City’s defending has improved of late, with Matija Nastasic a clear upgrade on the error prone Joleon Lescott. Yet the Citizens still are vulnerable, particularly when Javi Garcia is in midfield. With Toure absent, a lot of pressure will be on Gareth Barry defensively, as well as to act as the link between defence and attack. Mancini has a big decision to make over his selection, which could determine the outcome of this game.
Recent form
Arsenal:
Arsenal 7–3 Newcastle (29/12; Premier League)
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal (01/01; Premier League)
Swansea City 2-2 Arsenal (06/01; FA Cup)
Manchester City:
Norwich City 3-4 Manchester City (29/12; Premier League)
Manchester City 3-0 Stoke City (01/01; Premier League)
Manchester City 3-0 Watford (05/01; FA Cup)
Key absences
Arsenal: Abou Diaby (doubt); Olivier Giroud (doubt)
Manchester City: Sergio Aguero; Samir Nasri; Yaya Toure; Kolo Toure; Jack Rodwell; Abdul Razak; Micah Richards; Maicon
Players to watch
Arsenal – Mikel Arteta: Arteta scored the winning goal in this last year, but he also enjoyed one of his best games for Arsenal too. His defensive work-rate, positional sense and passing ability make him an excellent player to have at the base of a midfield three when he is on form. It is no coincidence that Arsenal’s blip earlier this season coincided with Arteta’s own. One of the Gunners’ most influential players, Arteta has looked like he is approaching his best again of late and he is capable of dominating a weakened Manchester City midfield. If he does that, Arsenal will have a great chance.
Manchester City – David Silva: Silva is fundamental to Manchester City and he was the driving force behind their best form last season. The diminutive Spaniard will be responsible for making things happen for the Citizens and they will look to get him on the ball whenever possible. It is Silva who will be key to bringing Dzeko and Tevez into the game, and if Manchester City are to take three points from this, it is hard to underestimate how important the Spaniard will be.
Match Prediction
Matches between these sides rarely feature many goals. Both base their game on possession and high pressing, and while there is usually plenty of good football between Arsenal and Manchester City, each finds it hard to break down the other’s defence.
Last year Arsenal won the territory battle between these two, a high-tempo display proving decisive as their profligate attack eventually found the net. Manchester City will have a tough job trying to avoid being outplayed in midfield again with their options depleted in this area. Without Nigel de Jong, after he left for AC Milan, Toure has had to play deeper to provide the defensive shield they have lost. But with Toure away, much rests on the shoulders of Gareth Barry to compensate for Javi Garcia’s lack of defensive protection.
Arsenal therefore may well come to enjoy more of the play, but they will need to take advantage of their possession, something they don’t always do well. If Lukas Podolski and Walcott are on form, they can beat Manchester City. But if they aren’t, Manchester City have the attacking talent in reserve to grind out a big win. Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City.
Betting on Arsenal vs Man City? Read the betting preview at Inside Bet before you bet.
