EPL Match Preview, Round 30: Manchester City Vs Arsenal
Written By Albert Echatah
When Premier League football resumes after the international break, it will be with an epic match between holders Manchester City and leaders Arsenal at their headquarters on Easter Sunday.
Returning to his old haunting ground, Mikel Arteta’s team leads the treble winners by one point, which may rise to four if they can break the nine-year Etihad curse.
Manchester City
Under Pep Guardiola, whose former pupil Arteta has swiftly emerged as a sort of master, the guys in sky blue would view coming last on the podium as an unwelcome collector’s item, but it has nothing to do with their nearly flawless record in 2024.
Even though Guardiola may play down the possibility, the current English and European champions still have a chance to win back-to-back trebles. They crushed Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarterfinals with a score of 2-0 before the two-week domestic break. Chelsea will now be waiting for them at Wembley next month after a thrilling Champions League quarterfinal matchup with Real Madrid.
Form
After being humiliated by Aston Villa in December, Man City has gone 22 games without losing in all competitions, including 13 straight in the Premier League, thanks to their two-goal victory over the Magpies. Their record of 38 games without losing at Etihad Stadium is also astounding.
Not since Man City’s unexpected 2-1 victory against Brentford in November 2022 have they been behind the sky blue wall.
Player’s to watch
Erling Haaland has scored 8 goals in his last 5 games for the Cityzens. The talismanic striker scored Man City’s third goal against Manchester United on Sunday in the FA cup, the Norwegian Striker is gradually returning to form.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s flawless Premier League record in 2024 now stands at an incredible eight wins from eight matches, a feat never before accomplished in the club’s illustrious history. This was accomplished quickly after they banished the demons of a miserable winter period in which Arteta masterminded just one win from seven matches amid the festivities.
While Brentford were furious that Kai Havertz was still on the pitch, the in-form German celebrated his winning goal in the 86th minute, which propelled Arsenal to the top of the standings. They would maintain that position during the international break as Man City and Liverpool were unable to defeat each other.
Form
Three days later, the Emirates were engulfed in chaos once again, with David Raya emerging as the 12-yard hero in their Champions League last-16 match against Porto. Their reward for breaking a run of seven consecutive last-16 eliminations is a chance for revenge against frequent conquerors Bayern Munich.
Arsenal could record the nine-game Premier League winning streak only previously achieved by their title-winning seasons of 1997–98, 2001–02, and 2003–04, and throughout their last three top-flight away matches, before thoughts of Bavarian retribution take precedence.
Player’s to watch
Kai Havertz has scored 3 goals in his last 5 games for club and country. Havertz will be hoping to add to his 9-goal tally. The German forward has scored 8 goals and provided 3 assists in 27 EPL games for Arsenal.
Team News
The manager of the Citizens has ruled out England’s Kyle Walker and John Stones, but Manuel Akanji, who pulled out of his Switzerland duty, is doing well. First-choice custodian Ederson is also “much better” and may start again in goal. Regarding the knock that Matheus Nunes sustained while serving in Portugal, there was no update. However, Kevin De Bruyne, who has eight goals and five assists in 20 appearances versus Arsenal, has trained “really well” and is expected to be cleared to play.
Before their nations’ matches, England’s Bukayo Saka and Brazil’s Gabriel Magalhaes withdrew from training. Gabriel Martinelli, who scored Arsenal’s only goal in their October victory over Man City, was already listed as being absent due to a foot injury. However, Arteta is optimistic that all three players will be able to recover in time to return to their regular starting positions; he stated on Friday that there was a “chance” for all three of them.
Head-To-Head
Manchester City Arsenal played so far 57 matches. Manchester City won 24 matches, Arsenal on the other hand have also won 24 matches. 9 matches ended in a draw between both teams.
Hot stat
Arsenal haven’t defeated Manchester City since January 2015.
Possible Lineup
Manchester City: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Ake; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Doku
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Verdict
The tasty match on Sunday will match Man City, who haven’t lost at home in an incredible 16 months, against the unstoppable Arsenal, who has a perfect Premier League record in 2024. But with City as unstoppable as ever in front of their home supporters, a split of the spoils appears to be the most likely result of Sunday’s major event. Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal
Do you have a story tip?
Kindly Email: keepup@bettitude.com
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube
About Author
