Arsenal v Manchester City – Sunday 8th April – Emirates Stadium (17:00)
Arsenal v Manchester City
Manchester City and their red-faced manager Roberto Mancini are feeling the pressure of the championship run-in and face another crucial hurdle when they travel to the Emirates Stadium this Sunday to face Arsenal. The Gunners suffered their first defeat in eight matches at QPR last weekend and will be looking to make amends. After United’s late win at Blackburn on Monday night, City are now five points adrift of their rivals and can’t afford any more slip ups. Arsenal’s recent seven-game winning streak has turned their season around and they will also be aiming for maximum points in their attempt to hold off challenges from London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea for the automatic Champions League spot.
Just goal difference separates third-placed Arsenal and fourth-placed Tottenham with the odd goal favouring the Gunners, whilst Chelsea are a further five points adrift, in fifth. After their surprise defeat last weekend, manager Arsene Wenger feels that this is the right fixture to get back to winning ways. The Gunners were out of sorts from the start and fell behind on 22 minutes when Adel Taarabt exposed some poor defending from Thomas Vermaelen to put the hosts ahead. Theo Walcott levelled for the visitors but Samba Diakite scored the winner midway through the second period. Wenger’s handling of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain again came into question as he chose to play Aaron Ramsey in an unfamiliar left midfield role ahead of the talented youngster who has impressed so many times when called upon. Big performances will be needed from Arsenal’s main men in Robin van Persie and Alex Song who have been exceptional this season. Arsenal’s home form has been good having won 11 of their 15 matches, losing just two. They have conceded just 12 goals in those 15 and will need their backline of Vermaelen and co. to return to form here.
Manchester City’s title hopes suffered a major blow as they had to come from 3-1 down with five minutes to play to draw with a determined Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium. Their 100% home record was shattered by Sunderland in what was a pulsating match with the visitors taking the lead through Sebastian Larsson, only for Mario Balotelli to level for City from the penalty spot. Nicklas Bendtner then re-established Sunderland’s advantage and when Larsson scored his second on 55 minutes it looked like being a dark day for the Sky Blues. But with five minutes remaining, Balotelli made it 3-2 with a sweet strike and barely 60 seconds later it was all square as Aleksandar Kolarov got the equalizer. Carlos Tevez was again introduced from the bench. His appearance added more energy to City’s attack and eventually gave them enough momentum to claim a draw. Perhaps Mancini will need to put his pride in his back pocket and start the Argentine who could be City’s inspiration to push Manchester United all the way in the title race. Mancini will hope to have Joleon Lescott, Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero back for this crucial encounter.
Manchester City edged the first round match 1-0 and also won here by the same scoreline last season. However, Arsenal’s home form looks too strong to bet against with their last three home wins seeing off AC Milan (3-0), Newcastle (2-1) and Aston Villa (3-0) with good performances. City have also won just seven of their 15 away matches, losing four and drawing four. The draw is tipped.
