Premier League Arsenal Vs Manchester city Prediction
Watch Arsenal Vs Manchester City prediction and match stats on uk sports
In the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City face off will have a big impact on the Premier League title top place. The match is about to happen at Emirates stadium 7.30pm GMT kick-off on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
The Gunners have led the table since early November as they look to win their first league crown in almost two decades, while City are attempting to win their fifth in six years amid a string of charges over alleged Financial Fair Play violations.
Arsenal remain favourites for the title but both teams have faltered in recent weeks, and question marks over Erling Haaland’s fitness only adds further intrigue to the game.
Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns as they prepare for their toughest test to date, with Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Jesus working on their fitness but highly unlikely to feature.
Mikel Arteta has a decision to make over Gabriel Martinelli’s starting spot after a string of underwhelming performances since the turn of the year. Leandro Trossard replaced him against Brentford and promptly scored.
City are sweating over Haaland’s fitness after the striker was withdrawn at half-time of Sunday’s win over Aston Villa. Pep Guardiola confirmed after the game that the striker felt “a kick” and was withdrawn so not to take a risk.
John Stones remains injured for the next few weeks and Nathan Ake was rested from the starting line-up against Villa so should come back in.
Arsenal’s unbeaten home record will be firmly put to the test in midweek and comes after two of their most underwhelming performances to date, in defeat at Everton and a blunt display against Brentford.Watch Arsenal Vs Manchester City prediction and match stats on uk sports
Manchester City in Premier League
Manchester City are hardly pulling up trees themselves, though a routine win over Aston Villa got them back on track after a lifeless loss at Tottenham. Haaland’s fitness will of course be a huge factor leading up to kick-off, but any City attack will pose Arsenal problems.
It is sure to be a special occasion for Arteta as the student pits his wits against the master, and while he will be quick to credit Guardiola for teaching him the ropes during his trophy-laden spell in Manchester, he will also be keen to show that he has a few tricks of his own up his sleeve.
There have certainly been signs of improvement from the Gunners since the Spaniard took charge and they come into Wednesday’s match still unbeaten in the league this calendar year – an eight-game streak which makes for the longest current run in the competition.
The fact that half of those have ended in draws has prevented Arsenal from significantly climbing the table, but they have now won their last three league games in a row and another victory on Wednesday could lift them as high as sixth and within two points of fifth – a spot which may be enough for Champions League football next season given Man City’s European ban.
Arsenal in top position in Premier League
The Gunners would have the chance to drive home the advantage when their game in hand comes around two weeks later, at home to Everton, although victory for Sean Dyche’s team when they met at Goodison Park earlier in February does lend a note of caution to that assignment.
There is no prospect of any further games between the sides in European competition this season, given City are in the Champions League and Arsenal are competing in the Europa League.
The Gunners have not won four league games on the bounce since October 2018 and had only won four of their previous 23 prior to this recent run, so achieving that feat at the Etihad would be a significant achievement for a team whose own European hopes for next season now hang solely on their Premier League position.
Another clear indication of Arsenal’s improvement comes in defence, where they have kept three clean sheets in their last four league games, which is as many as they managed in their previous 23 before that.Watch Arsenal Vs Manchester City prediction and match stats on uk sports
