Manchester City have not made the start expected of them. After last seasons failures, a reaction or backlash was expected but that has not been the case for Pep Guardiola. City are languishing in 14th spot after a mixed bag of results.
Arsenal, meanwhile, appears to be making great strides under Pep Guardiola’s former assistant Mikel Arteta. The Gunners have three wins from their first four matches this season/ Added to this, the arrival of midfielder Thomas Partey will bolster the mood in North London. Arsenal have lost their last Premier League matches against City but did beat in last season’s FA Cup final.
Team News
Kevin De Bruyne is a huge doubt for City after pulling out of the Belgium squad in midweek. Guardiola is also sweating on the fitness of Raheem Sterling who missed the international break with a hamstring injury. Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus are still unavailable. After testing positive for coronavirus at the start of the season, Ilkay Gundogan is available for selection.
Arsenal’s deadline day signing Thomas Partey only trained with Arsenal for the first time on Thursday. Arteta is still waiting to find out whether Kieran Tierney will be allowed to play this weekend. One of Bukayo Saka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles or Sead Kolasinac will start at left-back if Tierney is not eligible.
Is the Gunners resurgence legit?
Arsenal outplayed City and outthought them in the FA Cup last season. There is a genuine belief within the Gunners camp and they could be a good shout to beat City again under Arteta.
Suggested Bet: Arsenal win or Draw at 2.75
BTTS?
In the last three head to heads between the sides either Arsenal or Man City have ‘won to zero’. However, it’s hard to see that happening again with Arsenal in with a decent chance and City’s defence looking very average right now. It’s a Pep Guardiola side and rarely do they not score.
Suggested Bet: BTTS and over 2.5 goals at 1.74
Goalscorers?
Alexandre Lacazette has three Premier League goals this season despite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being the more renowned goalscorer. With City’s main strikers sidelined, the burden of goals will fall on Raheem Sterling who has a knack of finding himself in very good positions.
Suggested Bet: Lacazette to score anytime at 3.50
Suggested Bet: Sterling to score first or last at 2.25