Can Arsenal get revenge on Manchester City?
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Arsenal and Manchester City will play at the Emirates just days after the two sides met in the Carabao Cup Final. Manchester City's dominant 3-0 win makes Pep Guardiola's side the favourite going into the midweek fixture.
Arsenal's performance in the cup final was shockingly bad. The team lacked energy and ideas during the entire 90-minute match. The Gunners will have midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan available for the fixture. The Armenian was cup-tied for the match between the two sides on Sunday. Mkhitaryan has hit the ground running since arriving from Manchester United and has already contributed three assists. Perhaps his creative can spark the Gunners.
Arsenal haven't been shy in front of goal this term. The club is fifth in goal scoring in the Premier League (51). The club also dominates most matches as it keeps nearly 59% possession. The problem with Arsenal has been the lack of ideas, which showed against Manchester City. The Gunners lost to Manchester City 3-1 earlier this term and have not beaten them in their last three meetings. In the teams' previous Premier League meeting, Arsenal's defence gave up two goals to Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero before Alexandre Lacazette pulled one back. Gabriel Jesus scored a third to put the match out of reach for Arsenal. Not only were Arsenal beaten on the scoreline, but Manchester City also won the possession battle with a 58.2% rate.
Heading into the match Guardiola's team are unbeaten in its last four Premier League games. Meanwhile, Arsenal's inconsistencies have prevented them from cracking the top four; as the Gunners have lost three of their last six. Manchester City are scoring 2.9 goals per match. The team has tallied 79 goals this season and has a +59-goal differential. Guardiola's potent attack has tallied two goals or more in 17 of its last 20 matches in the Premier League. Based on the team's recent results, it is difficult to believe Manchester City won't score goals at the Emirates on Thursday night.
Manchester City will be without injured defensive midfielder Fernandinho for the Premier League clash. The midfielder hasn't missed a league match this term, but due to a hamstring injury sustained in the cup final, he will be left out of the squad. Winger Raheem Sterling has a question mark around his inclusion in the match. He is suffering from a hamstring injury as well. Sterling has been brilliant this term as the England international has scored 15 goals and added six assists.
Based on Arsenal's lacklustre performance in the Carabao Cup Final, it is difficult to believe the Gunners will be able to beat Manchester City. Having Mkhitaryan back will be a big boost. In addition, Fernandinho's omission could open up the Manchester City midfield. However, Manchester City will win all three points in this fixture. It may not be as easy as Sunday's cup final, but Guardiola's team will inflict a ninth league defeat on Arsenal.
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