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Home›Match Previews›Arsenal v Manchester City; Premier League Match Preview

Arsenal v Manchester City; Premier League Match Preview

By Michael Price
January 12, 2013
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Since the Abu Dhabi Group has taken control of Manchester City they have tangled with Arsenal 9 times. In those 9 times Arsenal have 3W 3L 3D. And while the league Champion’s have the financial clout to over power almost any team on the planet, there has been very little evidence of the gulf between the teams in terms of playing ability.

The match is an important one or both teams. For City if they should lose and United win earlier in the day, it will put them 10 points behind the league leaders. For Arsenal a loss could put them further in danger of not making the top 4. Currently sittingin 7th with a game in hand, they need the win to keep the gap close.

Manchester City are an engima to watch this season. They are capable of resounding thumping’s of oposition, great and small but then they come out and play a style more reminiscent of the days prior to the gluttony of wealthy they currently have. They are perplexing at best and in my opinion barring a tremendous slip up by United are already out of the title run.

Arsenal, well we sadly have never been in the title run. Our focus has been to stay competitive as we adjust to new economic realities – or so we’re told. We like tomorrow’s visitors are a quagmire of WHAT THE F**K. On days like the last match between City and Arsenal we look absolutely sublime and fluid and on others like Bradford, Swansea, or Southampton look like complete and utter crap.  We are the makers of our own fate and more so because the talent is there in such a poor season as this for all teams.

And that’s why this match is totally in Arsenal’s hands. Not lacking any major players due to injury, Arsenal have the talent to play like they did on the road at the Etihad. Given the predicament for City, I suspect they will look for an open game. This as we all know can suit Arsenal if they go with speed, hunger and drive from the start. City’s defense aren’t nimble of foot. Kompany is their rock but he has shown that he can get pulled out and spun around with speed. Nastasic isn’t as strong but he has good movement. Runs off the ball from Arsenal from the middle of the pitch to the box are going to be essential to get the best of the CBs.

Joe Hart has looked average this season. It’s going to be imperative of Arsenal to get shots on goal. You have to test Joe. he is still one of the best Goal Keepers out there and if Arsenal make it easy for him he will  soak up all the pressure you give him.  Additionally, Gael Clichy while still slick going forward has shown this season that he is reverting to his former Arsenal-self with mistakes galore. I particularly like the match up of Chamberlain versus the Frenchman.

The real test obviously comes at the back. Both teams have statistically been good defensively. But as they say there lies, damned lies, and statistics.  Both teams are prone to defensive woes, the win goes to the team that can lock those woes down for the match. None of Arsenal’s CBs should hold their head up proud as it has been primarily from the CB position that stupid personal mistakes have hurt Arsenal the most – Koscielny v Chelsea, Vermaelen v United just to name two.

City are likely to go with Tevez behind Dzeko with Tevez playing slightly deeper then normal without Yaya Toure in the lineup. Though, and it’s reflected below in the lineup infographic – something in suspects Mancini will give Bad Boy Mario a chance to start. The point is in either combination they have players that can tear apart a defense. I pray silently that with a full 7 days between matches Steve Bould has been given some additional lisense to work with the lads about sound defenseive principles?

Again, we are the makers of our success or failures this season. If we don’t come at this game with a sound denfesive plan and hunger and drive going forward we are going to find it a very painful afternoon. With as I mentioned 7 days off, there is very little room for the “tired” excuses. Nor are injuries a major concern. Add in the additional factor of City missing key players in Agüero and Yaya Y Touré (oh and Nasri too) the table is set for Arsenal.

Arsenal go into the fixture with a 52% win rate over City covering a total of 162 matches (85W 38D 39).  That span also includes City not winning away to Arsenal since 1975. Of course its a new era. City have a plethora of riches and are the league Champions. Arsenal are in a different boat altogether. And while they’ve maintained competitive parity head to head with City the fortunes of the clubs are markedly different lately. But none of that  matters for 90 minutes on the pitch. All that remains to be seen is which team shows up for the match.

How the match should play out:
With so much at stake for both teams it’s hard to see anything but a a shootout. City cannot afford to let Arsenal walk away with a win. However, with a lack of the primary players they be still be cautious yet, less so than recent years.  The replacements that will come in for City’s missing starters are likely to be more defensive than the regulars. But City can’t afford to go 10 points behind United. Arsenal. I have no idea. They absolutely have to come out firing an using their speed at the start. The pensive, thoughtful, almost prodding manner they’ve shown at points this season will not suffice against a team like City. At home – Arsenal will go for it with Gusto (I hope).

Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Theo Walcott. All signs point to the contract being closed to finaliztion and Theo staying with the Gunners. He has been dynamic this season and while the team doesn’t have too many issues scoring. With his speed he can give Vincent Kompany some issues.

Manchester City: David Silva. This season hasn’t been one of renown for the Spanaird but he is starting to show signs that he is finding his form with some level of consistency. Amazingly this is the first time Silva will have played at the Emirates since joining City.

Key Battle:
City attack vs Arsenal Defense.  Do I really need to explain why?

Projected Lineups: 

AFCvMCFC_01122013

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal:  Fabianski (back), Gervinho (international duty)

Manchester City: Agüero (hamstring), Y Touré (international duty), K Touré (international duty), Razak (international duty), Nasri (suspended), Maicon (knee), Richards (knee), Rodwell (hamstring)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Walcott 8

Manchester City:  Dzeko 9

Assists Leaders:
Arsenal: Podolski 6, Walcott 6

Manchest City: Tevez 5, Silva 5

Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 1

Manchester City: 1

Goals For:
Arsenal (home): 2.8

Manchester City (away): 1.4

Goals Against:
Arsenal (home): 1.4

Manchester City: (away): 1.2

Last Five:
Arsenal: DWWWW

Manchester City: WWLWW

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 18

Manchester City: 22

Match Official:
Referee: Mike Dean (Matches 14, R1 Y49)

Broadcast Information:
US: ESPNDeportes/ESPN3 11:00 AM EST

UK: SkySports 1 16.00  GMT

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

Manchester City: 2

TagsAFCArsenalArsenal FCEPLManchester CityMatch Preview
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11 comments

  1. arteta3sheds 15 January, 2013 at 09:24 Log in to Reply

    Too right Steve, the Man City result was predictable, Kosch’s sending off (I didn’t see it) only served as an excuse, but with Kos on or off we were highly likely to lose that game judging by the form and morale of both teams.

    I haven’t been so disinterested in a big Arsenal game for a long time, I almost missed it. If it wasn’t for my dear wife I would have. It was about 15 mins into to the game when I switched on. It took me some time to realise we only had 10 men and then some time after that to realise it was Kosch and not Arteta that had been sent off. I was surprised to see Diaby out there, I lost interest before the end of the first half and only half listened to the 2nd half as I was in another room. That’s as low as it gets for a Hippie  .
    It appears this squad does not have what it takes to really go toe to toe with the big spenders. I cannot see us coming out of those big games, Spuds, ManUre, Chelski and the two Pools without at least one defeat (but I have Hippie hope).
    We needed a minor miracle last year to qualify for the Champions League last season and we are going to need one again unless we get the ‘special’ one or two in… will we get them… Theo will be like a new signing ;-)

    As for RvP being excited about the Carzola signing and the details surrounding the Wenger Ferguson phone call, I don’t know anything about it. If you got any links, I think I would find it a good read. What I do know though is that Arsene’s “gamble” of selling RvP to ManUre is one of the biggest mistakes of his managerial career, whether he acknowledges it or not. Carzola RvP and Theo feeding each other could have won us a league title, we would must definitely have got 4th spot. If we fail to win anything and do not qualify for Europe how much will that set us back in the long run. Is that price worth 24 million? That is a real and true example of Wenger’s frugalness gone mad.

    Great call on Freds re-emergence by the way, just not the kind of fire and brimstone I might have expected. I don’t follow NFL, these days anyway, but for some apparent reason I have developed a loathing for the Bills ;-)

  2. Fred 14 January, 2013 at 19:31 Log in to Reply

    Didn’t watch the game. Didn’t even remember the game was on a Sunday (for some really bizarre reason, I thought it was a Monday game).

    These days I’m infinitely more interested in the NFL and college hoops than I am with Arsenal.

    Wenger isn’t just killing my interest in Arsene FC but in soccer in general!

    Ah well.

    What else is new, Arsene Wonka, won’t buy except he finds someone “special”!

    God, I despise that French F&*$ passionately.

    The day he is fired and cannon balled out of London would be the happiest day of my year.

    I pray it comes soon.

  3. highburyterracesteve 14 January, 2013 at 16:44 Log in to Reply

    I want to continue in my role as a Wenger apologist, but it’s getting tougher and tougher…. (This one’s for you Arthur. Thanks for reading!!)

    Yesterday’s result was no real surprise, but the way it came about seemed particularly depressing. Under the kosh from the get-go, our defender (of the same name) forgot which type of football he was playing. Dzeko, who really isn’t very good, teased us with a penalty kick just about as weird as his undershirt message, but then the man advantage and slack defending and the fact that we’ve got nobody who can really lift this team led to the obvious conclusion that we had just about zero chance of getting something from the match. 80 minutes later and at least nobody got hurt and we almost sort of had a chance when Kompany got sent off not realizing that Jack is the kind of guy who WILL (get himself hurt, sooner than later, I fear….) going after balls he shouldn’t. 2-nil flatters us and we should be glad that Tevez isn’t worried about padding his stats ahead of his contract extension. Maybe he saw what Theo was up to at the other end and figured if that guy can do what he’s doing and get bumped up, why should I be running so hard?….

    In truth, given our current model, it’s a match Arsenal would expect and can afford to lose. Likewise, we would be better off losing to Swansea in the cup replay and rotating for the match at Stamford Bridge as well as that pesky one where RVP comes with his new team. It might put a bit of pressure on our remaining league matches but if we can win all those (including the 6 pointers with the two Liverpool teams plus the BIG ONE at White Hart Lane) we’ll be on track to avoid our CL relegation. Oh poo, we’ve still got to bow out of THAT competition with a modicum of grace (so that we can keep focus on re-qualification)…..

    Oh my, I think I’m succumbing to Stag-style sarcasm….

    But why not? With all the discussion about ticket prices and long term plans we’re seriously supposed to take comfort in how well contract talks with Theo Walcott are going? If not there’s the idea that (someday) Cesc might come back?!?)…. In the meantime, here comes Abou Diaby (pipping both Coquelin and Ramsey for a spot in the first 11) to save the day. The big plus on the day was that he survived his outing and (but for a few misplaced passes, and lack of match fitness) looked sorta like Abou Diaby. Where’s Tomas Rosicky and what happens when (not if, sad to say….) Santi or Jack get hurt (or need a breather)?

    What I’m suggesting (and should be evident) is that this squad (“the product on the pitch”), in terms of quality and depth, should be focused ONLY on trying to get up for 4th. Should fans pay good money (or waste precious time) following this drama? Rationality suggests no. If everything is market-based and supply and demand dictate all, the rational consumer would find better value almost anywhere else. (For example, CK becoming a Swansea fan or me trying to follow Granada CF in their efforts to stay in La Liga–big MNF game tonite….) We’re not rational, so we keep buying it, but the club should feel a hefty dose of shame given what they’re selling. Like I say, a little bit of grace would go down a treat….

    We’ve got a serious problem and it’s not about (all) “profit.” (The bottom line will take a hit going out to Bayern AND failing to requalify, not to mention the early exit from the FA cup….) The “brand” (which is all we really are these days) has been morphed into the manager’s vision, one that is hyper-rational and seeks to mitigate risk, all the while heaping pressure onto bodies who simply cannot bear it. Arsene says we were intimidated yesterday leading to the early troubles and Koscielny’s foolishness. I agree. But when every player is a bargain and we cannot exceed the manager’s salary this is the level we should expect. Not every “cheap” player can outperform the “expensive” ones. For every Bacary Sagna (who will be leaving us shortly, hopefully flogged into oblivion, it seems, maybe so that his replacement, Jenks, looks OK by comparison….) there will be an Emmanuel Eboue or an Andre Santos. Is Lucas Poldoski playing well enough to be our highest remunerated player? Probably, and though he watched rather than stretched for the pass leading to their first goal and was subbed after an hour, he’s a clear step up from our last top earner (besides the manager, of course, one Andrey Arshavin…..) That there are not quality players in the transfer market (happy with these terms and wanting to come to our sinking ship) is no surprise either. It would be nice for the fans to indulge this ideology and be completely supportive and the last thing we need are for players to be making more than the manager and CARING less than he does. We’re caught between a rock and a hard place. Something’s got to give. Theo Walcott isn’t a great player but in the current market he probably deserves his 90k week. Old, injury prone, RVP, who gave a bunch to the cause last year, (stupid independence day letters notwithstanding) seems worth (at least) double. With the money we’re set to lose with CL relegation and as SOMETHING to give the (silly) fans who cannot stop watching, keeping him might’ve been a risk worth taking….(And reports suggest the Cazorla signing had him excited about staying….) Given the knife edge of our current competitive malaise are there other risks we need to take right now?

    We didn’t, we won’t and the best one can do is (keep) lower(ing) expectations. Unlike some, I won’t start hoping that Arsenal lose matches, including this Wednesday’s replay with Swansea, even if I (too, though for different reasons) think it might be for the best….

  4. stag133 14 January, 2013 at 14:53 Log in to Reply

    Arteta out at least 3 weeks with a calf injury.
    Just for the record, we won only ONE TIME, all of last year, without Arteta in the line-up… and that was the gift we received on the last day of the season.

    Post match yesterday, Wenger trotted out one of his favorite tired old lines about only being in the market for “quality players” in the transfer window.

    really? you are looking for that special player, right?
    and its so difficult to find them…
    we were hoping you bought shit players again like Chamakh and Squillaci…

    ground hog day, 8 years running.

  5. ChicagoGooner 13 January, 2013 at 21:23 Log in to Reply

    Arsenal, eh…. what’s the point?

    • stag133 13 January, 2013 at 22:07 Log in to Reply

      profit.

  6. caribkid 13 January, 2013 at 19:03 Log in to Reply

    Koz is a good defender, but epitomizes our team, manager and performances in one word, INCONSISTENT!

  7. stag133 13 January, 2013 at 16:23 Log in to Reply

    I just hope the New England Patriots tackle as well as Koscielny did in the box… perfect form. Wrap your arms around the offensive player and take him to the ground.
    Fantastic.

    • US Gunner 13 January, 2013 at 17:21 Log in to Reply

      I don’t understand why some Gunners are so high on him. He’s a PK or own goal waiting to happen. We don’t need strikers, we need defenders (will get neither). The sad part is we are not that far away from competing. One or two key players would have a huge impact.

      • stag133 13 January, 2013 at 18:01 Log in to Reply

        I have been saying this for 2 years… there are people on here that think Koscielny is our best defender… “he’s a revelation”…
        sorry. he’s not a good defender… I totally agree.

        we will get nothing. agree.

      • caribkid 13 January, 2013 at 19:01 Log in to Reply

        Actually, at least 3 players and 1 new non-socialist manager away from competing. We are an injury away from having Squillacci being our starting CB, we have no DM and need a true winger with speed and guile. Add to that a backup GK and Striker.

        I don’t consider that close based on the history of AW in recent years.

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