Arsenal set to stun Man City again in EPL title decider [Preview]
Arsenal will make a trip to Man City on Sunday as they look to complete a rare double over Pep Guardiola’s men in a match that could decide which way the Premier League title could go.
Can Arsenal storm Man City fortress?
Arsenal became just the fourth team to win each of their first eight Premier League games of a calendar year when they beat Brentford in early March — the previous three clubs to do that all went on to win the title.
The Gunners’ record against Man City in the Premier League is dire, with 12 defeats in their past 13 games, though their lone victory came at the Emirates in October, courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli’s deflected strike.
“It feels like a big win,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “It is a special one.”
Arteta’s men look a more battle-hardened force than last year, when they stumbled at the end of the season, opening the door for City to cruise past to a third straight title.
Repeating the feat at the Etihad is a different order of magnitude.
City are unbeaten in their last 38 home games in all competitions. Brentford were the last visiting team to leave with a win and that was in November 2022.
If Arsenal do manage to complete their first league double over City since 2007/08, it could be the boost they need to get them over the line.
Team News
Man City have been dealt a double injury blow as Kyle Walker and John Stones will miss Sunday’s crucial clash in the Premier League title race against Arsenal.
Both players were injured on international duty with England.
Walker was replaced early during a 1-0 defeat to Brazil with a hamstring problem, while Stones limped off in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Belgium due to an adductor issue.
Defending champions Man City are third in the Premier League, but just one point behind leaders Arsenal, who are ahead of Liverpool only on goal difference.
The absence of the key defensive duo is also a worry for City with the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final away to Real Madrid on April 9.
“Kyle’s (injury is) more tough than John’s but they will be out – I don’t know for how many games,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
However, there was more positive news for Guardiola as Ederson, Manuel Akanji, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne all look set to return from injury.
De Bruyne, who sat out City’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Newcastle before the international break, has suffered an injury-plagued season after missing the first five months of the campaign with a hamstring tear.
However, the 32-year-old has provided 12 assists and scored twice in 12 appearances for City this season when fit.
“Kevin is so important,” added Guardiola. “It has been a tough season for him with injuries.
“He has been out for a long time but he trained really well yesterday. We will see what he does in the next days.”
De Bruyne scored twice in Man City’s 4-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad last season that proved a telling blow to the Gunners’ title aspirations.
Mikel Arteta’s men look a more mature and well-rounded force this season, but face the acid test of whether they are ready to dethrone City as English champions on Sunday.
Man City have not lost at home in 38 games in all competitions, stretching back to November 2022.
Guardiola’s men also remain on course to repeat their treble triumph of last season.
The winners of Man City’s Champions League tie against Madrid will play either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the last four.
Man City also face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals next month.
“This season has been really good,” said Guardiola.
“To be in contention for the three important titles now, we’ve done incredible work.
“Now it’s the last 10 games of Premier League, we start an important time. We play the leaders of the Premier League and I’m sure the people (City’s fans) will give us what we need to perform at our best.”