Analysis: Manchester City - Arsenal

After elimination from the Champions League and the loss at Stamford Bridge in the match against Chelsea, the mood of Manchester City’s fans isn’t the best. Nevertheless after such “collapses” Mancini’s players have to come to as quickly as possible since on Sunday they are in for the match against Arsenal London at Etihad Stadium.

Classification and teams’ condition:
After the defeat by Chelsea and the win of United against Wolverhampton, “The Citizens” have only 2 breakaway points from their local opponents. Arsenal which earned 13 points in the previous 5 matches has 29 on its list but it lacks 9 points to the leader.

Potential and team situation:
Despite the weak match in London Roberto Mancini’s team’s shape is still decent. The Italian manager often changes the lineup what he didn’t do in the previous season. This makes the task for Arsenal tougher. Against Liverpool “The Citizens” played in 4-3-3, against Norwich 4-2-3-1 and in the match against Chelsea got back to 4-3-3 again. This is why we reckon that they can play against Arsenal using analogical tactics. This is probably the best variant, but having such players in the lineup as Balotelli, Aguero, Dzeko or Silva it is hard to put any of them on the bench. Most probably the injured Kolarov and Richards won’t play in the match against Arsenal but the left defender Gael Clichy will return to the lineup.
Arsene Wenger has reasons to be happy. An unsuccessful start of the season, complaints from the fans’ side about limiting of money for transfers. The French coach has once more made the critics keep silent. “The Gunners” haven’t lost in the Premier League since 2 of October when in a London derby they lost to Tottenham. Nobody already remembers that defeat at Emirates Stadium since Walcott and company have earned 22 points in the following 8 matches, among which only the match against Fulham ended in a draw (1:1). Such performance of the London team deserves praise, taking into consideration injuries of the main lineup players. Except from Szczesny Arsenal cannot count for Fabianski, Mannon who are healing injuries. Also Diaba, Gibbs, Sagna and Wilshere cannot play.

History of meetings:
Manchester City has a negative balance of matches against Arsenal. These teams fought against each other for 152 times in the Premier League. “The Gunners” won 80 matches, The Citizens only 35 and 37 meetings ended up in a draw. Even in Manchester the Citizens cannot boast successful games (25-19-32).

Tips and grounds:
Manchester City lost to Chelsea a week ago but this doesn’t mean that they are weaker. The loss has to come sometimes, but “The Citizens” are in the best condition. Roberto Mancini’s players show a high gaming class. Long holding of the ball, they with ease create dangerous situations in the penalty area. Arsenal is a relatively young team that’s why the experience will be on the hosts’ side who have much more individualities in their lineup. In contrast to Wenger Mancini has a perfect opportunity of changing the lineup and this can give a positive result during the whole season.

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