Preview: Man City Vs Arsenal

Man City vs Arsenal preview

It’s the 2022/23 Premier League title decider. Arsenal fans wouldn’t have thought to be in a race with the position they were in back in December. The Gunners were 11 points clear at the top of the table after Boxing Day and are now just five clear of City having played two games more.

The onus is on Manchester City now to pile further pressure on Arsenal’s misery. Pep Guardiola’s men are known for their end-of-season ruthlessness and Arteta has seen this first-hand from his time at the Etihad as an assistant coach.

The winner of this fixture will have one hand on the Premier League trophy but this is football and with another month of the season remaining, anything is possible.

How would you describe Arsenal’s season if they were to finish 2nd❓

🔷 They bottled the titled 🙃
🔷 They just couldn’t stand against an experienced #ManCity 😒#PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/9KMhqDnFTL

— FootTheBall FC (@FootTheBallFC) April 22, 2023

Man City vs Arsenal – Team news

Pep Guardiola does not have as many injury concerns as it has been for most of this season. Nathan Ake is a doubt for the match but reports suggest he should make it back in time before the title-deciding fixture.

Phil Foden is also back in action after being injured for more than a month. He played 22 minutes in the FA Cup win over Sheffield United and should be part of the squad that faces Arsenal.

Predicted Man City lineup: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Grealish, De Bruyne, B.Silva, Mahrez, Haaland

Arsenal’s major dip in form in recent fixtures has been mainly due to the fact that they have missed their best defender this season – William Saliba. The French defender has been ruled out for the season which is a much bigger blow and has been out of the frame for more than a month now.

Granit Xhaka missed the last league fixture against Southampton with illness but should be ready to face reigning champions Manchester City. The only other absentee from Arteta’s squad is Tomiyasu.

Predicted Arsenal lineup: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Man City vs Arsenal – Key players

Erling Haaland – Manchester City

No surprises here. The Norwegian has broken records for fun this season, nearing 50 goals in all competitions. He has also equalled the record for most goals scored in a single Premier League campaign with 8 games remaining. If Arteta and Arsenal have any chance…