The Manchester City vs Arsenal Premier League match will be played on Saturday, December 14, 2013 (4:45 AM Pacific) at the Etihad Stadium. It will be a clash of titanic proportions when Manchester City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday’s lunch time kick-off. Probably the division’s best two sides this season, they will battle it out for supremacy and the match is set to be an enticing affair. Both teams will be heading into the clash well aware that a victory will be a big boost to their title aspirations, while a loss will be considered a huge blow.
Manchester City have been at their imperious best at home, and all the teams that have visited the Etihad this season have gone back with their tails between their legs. Arsenal perhaps represent the toughest challenge yet for City, but Manuel Pellegrini’s will certainly be up for it, as a victory will edge the Citizens closer to the summit of the table. Although, City should also be careful of the fact that a loss can prove detrimental to their title hopes.
Despite Arsenal’s fantastic start to the season, many are still not convinced that the Gunners can sustain their good form till the end of the campaign. Arsene Wenger’s men can truly silence their critics with a good result against a rampant City but it will certainly be a very difficult ask for the young Gunners side. However, with the incentive to go 8 points clear at the top and a chance prove the critics their true title credentials, could spur the Gunners to victory.
Manchester City
Pellegrini is faced with a couple of injury problems heading into the clash. The likes of Mateja Nastasic, Gael Clichy and Stevan Jovetic are doubtful for the match, while Micah Richards was forced off against Bayern Munich in midweek and looks set to miss out.
Martin Demichelis and Aleksandar Kolarov will continue in defense in the absence of Nastasic and Clichy while Pablo Zabaleta will slot in at right-back for Richards.
David Silva made a return from injury against Bayern and is in contention to start with either Samir Nasri or Jesus Navas making way for the Spaniard. The brilliant partnership of Alvaro Negredo and Sergio Aguero will start in attack and the pair will be ably supported by the likes Yaya Toure and Silva.
Arsenal
Bacary Sagna looks set to miss out again with a hamstring injury while Lukas Podolski has just returned to training from a similar problem and may not be fit enough to start. The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ryo Miyaichi, Abou Diaby and Yaya Sanogo remain out with long-term injuries.
Cark Jenkinson will continue to deputize for Sagna at right back with the solid partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker continuing at the heart of the defense.
Olivier Giroud will lead the line for the Gunners with support coming from Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil. Jack Wilshere looks set to start in midfield alongside either Mikel Arteta or Mathieu Flamini. Santi Cazorla will most probably start on the wings but Theo Walcott will also be pushing to break into the team.
Probable Lineups
Manchester City (Probable XI): Pantilimon; Kolarov, Kompany, Demichelis, Zabaleta; Nasri, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva; Negredo, Aguero
Arsenal (Probable XI): Szczesny; Gibbs, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Jenkinson; Wilshere, Ozil, Ramsey, Flamini, Cazorla; Giroud
Form
Manchester City: W W W D W
Arsenal: W W W D L
Last Meeting
13/01/2013 Arsenal 0 – 2 Manchester City
23/09/2012 Manchester City 1 – 1 Arsenal
Manchester City vs Arsenal Prediction
Despite Arsenal occupying top stop in the table, City head into the clash as slight favorites. Manchester City recorded a morale boosting victory away to Bayern in midweek, whereas Arsenal suffered disappointing loss against Napoli.
Pellegrini also had the luxury of resting some his key players in midweek while Wenger had to field a full strength side in order to ensure qualification to the next round of the Champions League.
The match looks set to be an exciting encounter which both sides possessing a host of world class attacking talent at their disposal. However, City have been flawless at home this season and should be able to record a narrow victory. Manchester City 2 – 1 Arsenal.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Television
The Manchester City vs Arsenal match will be televised on NBC Sports & Mun2, on Saturday, December 14, at 4:45 AM Pacific.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Television
Highlights will be uploaded soon after the completion of the match.
