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On Sunday at 4:30 PM UK time, the title contenders from the last two Premier League seasons will face each other at the Etihad Stadium, as we look to uphold our strong recent performance against the four-time champions.
In the previous season, we celebrated victory in the Community Shield and followed that with a home win and a draw during our last trip to the blue side of Manchester, continuously narrowing the gap on Pep Guardiola’s dominant squad.
So far in 2024, neither team has faced defeat in the Premier League, emphasizing their positions as the top two teams in the nation. While this latest chapter in our rivalry won’t determine the trophy’s fate, a win would serve as a significant early-season achievement for either Guardiola or Mikel Arteta.
Haaland Leads City to Success
City arrives at this matchup as the only team still holding a 100% record in their first four league games, marking 13 consecutive Premier League victories and remaining unbeaten in 27 matches. The season commenced with a 2-0 victory against Chelsea, followed by Erling Haaland’s hat-tricks in 4-1 and 3-1 wins over Ipswich Town and West Ham United, respectively.
Last week, the Norwegian forward already scored nine goals this season, netting both in a 2-1 win over Brentford—which is the highest tally any player has achieved in the initial four matches of a Premier League season. However, City has been behind early in both of their home fixtures so far.
Both our team and Guardiola’s side come into this match after experiencing goalless draws against Italian teams in the Champions League, with City playing to a stalemate at home against Inter Milan last Wednesday. Interestingly, they have only won two of their last seven matches following midweek European competitions, with five draws and one defeat against us last season.
Managers’ Perspectives
Arteta: “We anticipate a highly competitive match. We’re heading to the champions’ turf, the team that I believe has demonstrated the most consistent performance in Premier League history—not just in terms of results, but also in their dominant displays across seasons.
“This is the test; we need to go there and show that we have grown again and can compete at this level.”
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Every word from Arteta’s pre-Man City presser
Guardiola: “The matches against them have always been closely contested in recent years because they are strong, and we are strong as well. In many aspects, including high pressing and transitions, they are a complete team, which explains why they have been our main rivals for the last two seasons.
“From the standpoint of the league table, it’s not critically important at this point. What truly matters is when we head to
Five fixtures! It’s about putting on a good game.
Team news
Arteta is expected to have the same squad available for selection against Atalanta, as Martin Odegaard (ankle), Mikel Merino (shoulder), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) remain sidelined.
On a positive note, Declan Rice returns after serving a one-match suspension due to a red card received against Brighton & Hove Albion last month.
Guardiola’s primary concern is Kevin de Bruyne, who left the pitch at half-time in the match against Inter due to an injury. Although the Spaniard thinks he is showing signs of improvement, it is uncertain whether he will play on Sunday.
Nathan Ake will definitely miss out after sustaining a hamstring injury while playing for the Netherlands during the last international break. Additionally, Oscar Bobb is out long-term due to a leg fracture he suffered in training.
Talking tactics
Adrian Clarke: Guardiola switched back to a 4-2-3-1 formation in the recent game against Brentford, after beginning the season with his preferred 3-2-4-1 setup. Therefore, it’s hard to predict how City will line up. Last season, he favored a back four in their encounters with us.
The champions have excelled in capitalizing on turnovers this season, so we must exercise caution when in possession, particularly in our defensive half. City has scored from quick transitions against teams like Chelsea, West Ham, and Ipswich, which will encourage them to apply pressure on us this Sunday.
In past encounters, Arteta has instructed his players to evade the press with longer passes. During our goalless draw in March, 17.3% of our passes were classified as long. We also need to be careful not to get caught in a high line. Haaland has already been unleashed for a series of one-on-ones this season, and in the win against Brentford, Ederson surprised their opponents by launching a 70-yard pass for Haaland to chase down and score. When we press, or go man-to-man during restarts, we cannot allow the Norwegian to be one-on-one.
I anticipate that we will adopt a low block and maintain a compact shape. To secure a significant victory, it is crucial to defend with discipline while also being lethal on the counter-attack. Inter Milan demonstrated midweek that creating opportunities against City is possible by advancing through the thirds during a counter. I have confidence that we can replicate this, but we must be precise when chances come our way.
Facts and stats
We have amassed 59 points from a possible 66 in 2024 (P22 W19 D2 L1), conceding only 10 goals and achieving 14 clean sheets.
We could become the first team in Premier League history to avoid falling behind in 12 consecutive away matches.
We are aiming for an unbeaten streak of four consecutive games against Man City, which would be a first since March 2014 to May 2016 (6 in a row). Our last occurrence of three straight clean sheets against the Citizens was in January 2011.
We have achieved 99 victories out of our 211 encounters with Manchester City across all competitions. Only against Everton (111) do we have over 100 wins, and this represents the highest number of defeats City has ever faced against an opponent.
Haaland has netted eight goals in his last three Premier League matches, scoring hat-tricks against Ipswich and West Ham, as well as a brace against Brentford. In the history of the Premier League, only Luis Suarez has scored multiple goals in four successive appearances back in December 2013.
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The statistics behind our unbeaten away streak in 2024
Bukayo Saka has provided an assist in all four games thus far. In the history of the Premier League, only Thierry Henry (2004/05) has managed to assist in each of a team’s first five matches.
Raheem Sterling has netted 52 Premier League goals at the Etihad Stadium, trailing only Sergio Aguero, who scored 106. Notably, Sterling found the net both home and away against Manchester City while playing for Chelsea last season.
David Raya remains unbeaten in his last four Premier League outings against Manchester City and has kept a clean sheet in his last three matches. The last goalkeeper to maintain four consecutive clean sheets against them was Edwin van der Sar for Manchester United from November 2008 to November 2010.
Thomas Partey has faced Manchester City in his debut, 50th, and 100th appearances for Arsenal. If he plays in this match, it will mark his 100th appearance in the Premier League.
Match officials
Michael Oliver will officiate one of our fixtures against City for the third consecutive season, marking the fifth time in his career. He was the referee for our 1-0 home victory last season, with our only other triumph in these encounters occurring during the 2014 Community Shield at Wembley.
Oliver was also in charge during our win at Aston Villa last month, contributing to a record of 11 wins in the last 13 matches he has officiated. Conversely, Manchester City has triumphed in 17 of the last 20 games officiated by Oliver, losing only to us and Liverpool during that span, which dates back to October 2020.
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: Stuart Burt, Dan Cook
Fourth official: Andy Madley
VAR: John Brooks
Assistant VAR: Richard West
Recent encounters at the Etihad
The Etihad Stadium has posed challenges for us, but last season we managed to secure our first point there since May 2016 with a hard-fought 0-0 draw.
This result halted a streak of eight consecutive defeats in all competitions, following a 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round exit and a 4-1 loss towards the end of the 2022/23 season. Our last victory at the Etihad dates back to January 2015 when Santi Cazorla’s penalty and an Olivier Giroud header earned us all three points.
Since the stadium opened in 2004, we have achieved victory at the Etihad on seven occasions, although five of these wins occurred in our first six visits prior to the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008.
From the vault: Five great wins at Manchester City
Live coverage
Join us on Arsenal.com and the official app starting at 4:25 PM UK time for live commentary of the high-stakes match, featuring Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke leading you through the excitement.
Additionally, discover which broadcasters will be airing the game live, no matter where you are in the world.
Read more
How to watch Man City v Arsenal live on TV
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission is granted to use quotes from this article, provided proper credit is given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
Premier League Showdown: Arsenal Faces Manchester City in Key Title Clash
Match Preview
In a highly anticipated Premier League showdown, Arsenal will host Manchester City in what promises to be a pivotal clash in the title race. Both teams have showcased their strengths throughout the season, making this encounter not only crucial for their league standings but also a must-watch for football fans around the world.
Current Standings
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 30 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 71 |
| Manchester City | 30 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 67 |
Historical Context
This match holds significant historical weight. Arsenal and Manchester City have faced each other numerous times in the Premier League, with both teams delivering memorable performances. Historically, Arsenal has been a formidable opponent at home, while Manchester City has shown resilience and tactical prowess under pressure.
Key Historical Matches
- 2018-19 Season: Arsenal defeated Manchester City 2-0 at the Emirates, showcasing a strong defensive display.
- 2021-22 Season: Manchester City won 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium, demonstrating their attacking dominance.
- 2022-23 Season: A thrilling 3-3 draw that highlighted the competitive nature of both teams.
Team Analysis
Arsenal’s Strengths
Arsenal has had a remarkable season under the management of Mikel Arteta. Their strengths lie in:
- Solid Defense: Arsenal’s backline has been one of the tightest in the league.
- Dynamic Midfield: Players like Martin Ødegaard and Thomas Partey have been essential in transitioning play.
- Attacking Flair: With the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal possesses the ability to break down defenses.
Manchester City’s Key Players
Manchester City is known for its depth and tactical versatility. Some of their standout players include:
- Erling Haaland: The prolific striker leads the league in goals, making him a constant threat.
- Kevin De Bruyne: His vision and passing ability make him a key playmaker for the team.
- Ruben Dias: A cornerstone of the defense, Dias is essential in maintaining organization at the back.
Tactical Breakdown
The tactical approaches of both teams will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this match.
Arsenal’s Formation
Arsenal typically operates in a 4-2-3-1 formation, allowing for fluidity in attack while maintaining defensive stability. This formation enables:
- Wide play from wingers, stretching the opposition’s defense.
- A strong double pivot in midfield to control possession.
Manchester City’s Approach
Manchester City often employs a 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing ball control and high pressing. Key tactical elements include:
- Fluid movement among attacking players to create overloads on the flanks.
- A high defensive line that aims to win back possession quickly.
Head-to-Head Statistics
| Season | Result |
|---|---|
| 2020-21 | Arsenal 1 – 0 Manchester City |
| 2021-22 | Manchester City 5 – 0 Arsenal |
| 2022-23 | Arsenal 3 – 3 Manchester City |
Player Focus
Arsenal’s Rising Star: Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka has emerged as one of Arsenal’s most exciting talents. His combination of pace, skill, and intelligence on the ball has made him a key asset in attacking situations. Fans can expect to see him take on the Manchester City defense, looking to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Manchester City’s Tactical Maestro: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne’s ability to dictate the pace of play is critical for Manchester City. His vision and precision passing can break down even the most organized defenses. In this match, expect him to be the linchpin in City’s attacking strategy, looking to exploit any gaps left by Arsenal’s backline.
Benefits of Watching the Clash
Watching this Premier League clash will not only be thrilling but also offers various benefits to fans:
- Understanding Tactical Approaches: Fans can learn about different tactical setups and their effectiveness in high-stakes matches.
- Player Development Insights: Observing young talents like Saka and how they perform under pressure can provide insight into their future potential.
- Entertainment Value: The high-energy atmosphere and intense rivalry promise an unforgettable viewing experience.
Practical Tips for Enjoying the Match
To enhance your match-day experience, consider the following tips:
- Watch with Friends: Sharing the excitement with fellow fans can elevate the experience.
- Follow Live Stats: Utilizing apps or websites that provide real-time updates can keep you engaged during the match.
- Participate in Discussions: Joining forums or social media groups allows for sharing thoughts and predictions, enriching the overall experience.
First-Hand Experience
Fans attending the match at the Emirates can expect a vibrant atmosphere filled with passionate Arsenal supporters. The pre-match buildup will include chants, flags, and a palpable sense of anticipation. The experience of being part of a live event of this magnitude is unmatched, where every kick, tackle, and goal can feel electric in the stands.
Conclusion
The Arsenal vs. Manchester City clash is more than just a match; it’s a celebration of football at its finest. With both teams vying for the Premier League title, fans can expect a thrilling encounter filled with skill, strategy, and passion.
