There will be no love lost when two old pals renew acquaintances again
on Saturday, but Mikel Arteta will be hoping to help Arsenal record their first league victory over his former mentor Pep Guardiola since 2015.
Premier League 2020/2021
Date: Saturday, September 17th
Kick-off: 17:30pm
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Manchester City go into the weekend languishing in 14th on the table, and in a serious danger of even slipping further adrift by the time the round five games are through.
The Citizens have been erratic for much part of the new season, having won, lost and drawn in their opening three games, the latest been the 1-1 result away to Leeds before the international break.
However, Kevin De Bruyne did hit the post and debutant Ruben Dias came inches away from heading home a header, City really went close several times on the break in that minor setback.
Arsenal appear to be making giant strides under Arteta thus far, and come into this contest having won eight of their last 12 Premier League outings, which is as many victories as they had managed in their previous 28 top-flight games.
Thus, the 2-1 win over Sheffield United just before the break meant the Gunners have now picked up more Premier League points than any other team since losing to Brighton & Hove Albion in their second game since after lockdown.
Buoyed by the deadline day arrival of Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid, can the visitors continue their newly found momentum and claim another significant scalp or will City roll over them again?
Team news
Man City
Guardiola will be sweating on the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne after he pulled out of the Belgium squad in midweek.
Raheem Sterling missed the international break altogether with a hamstring complaint and is also a doubt here.
Ilkay Gundogan is back available, but Oleksandr Zinchenko is still some way short of a full recovery.
Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus are still both sidelined with injuries.
Arsenal
Kieran Tierney was forced into self-isolation during the international break with Scotland, and will not feature here.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled out of the Gabon squad with a minor ankle injury but is expected to be fit to face City.
Head to Head
In their last 200 competitive meetings, Arsenal have managed 98 wins to City’s 57. 45 encounters have been drawn.
Team form
Man City’s last five competitive games: WWLWD
Arsenal’s last five competitive games: WWLWW
Betting tips
If there’s a time Arsenal will fancy their chances of ending their poor run against City, it is now. The Citizens have not particularly looked at their flowing best, but we know what they are capable of should things stick for them on the day. We will however be sitting on the fence here, and we like to go for an entertaining draw which is 4/1 for odds.
A look at the Correct Score market, a score draw of 2-2 is a big 16/1 for odds, and it is one punters looking for big value tips can pick on as we hope these two interesting teams cancel out themselves in Saturday’s late kick-off.
You can view all other betting markets for this game here
