We may only be four games into the new PL season, but we already have top six points this week in the form of Manchester City vs Arsenal. Last season’s champions and runners-up, The Citizens and The Gunners look set to face each other again throughout the 2024/25 season.
Considering there were only two points separating Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta last time out, the two games between Man City and Arsenal look particularly important this season. Let’s take a look at the history between two of England’s most impressive teams at the moment – as well as some team news, injury updates and current odds.
Man City vs Arsenal
Manchester City have lifted the PL trophy in the last four seasons – a feat no other team has achieved in the history of the competition. It stands to reason that five wins in a row would also be a new record for Manchester’s blue team this year, but Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will have something to say about that particular goal. While Liverpool and Man City have been competing for the title for several seasons, Arsenal seems to have taken over as Pep Guardiola’s closest rivals. The Gunners have finished second behind City in the last two seasons. In the 2022/23 season, they are five points behind their rivals in winning the title, closing the gap to just two points in the 2023/24 season. Such progress would tend to suggest that Arsenal should win the league by a point this time around, but football rarely follows such linear trends.
The place
Etihad Stadium – Sunday 22 September. Kick-off: 16:30 local time.
Man City moved to the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2003, and this stadium has hosted many matches between The Citizens and Arsenal in that time. In the early years, this was a happy place for Arsenal, but that hasn’t been the case since City’s takeover in 2008, and especially since Pep Guardiola’s arrival in Manchester. In fact, the last time the Gunners won away at City in the Premier League was in the 2014/15 season – a 2-0 win. In the last five League matches between the two sides at the Etihad, Man City have won four and drawn one, scoring 16 goals in the process.
Form Guide
You really can’t beat this Man City performance guide. Four league games behind, four wins already achieved. Pep Guardiola’s machine looked as imperious as ever. Even when City are having a bad day, they have a habit of getting the job done one way or another. Arsenal also did not perform badly at the start of the 2024/25 season, currently sitting in second place in the standings. The Gunners and The Citizens seem to have played well again this season, with the Gunners right behind The Citizens. After Arsenal’s impressive 1-0 win over Spurs last weekend, they have a record of three wins and one draw in the league this season, with that draw only coming after a harsh red card against Brighton. Although Arsenal will be disappointed not to be level on points with City heading into this weekend, they will relish the opportunity to leapfrog their rivals into the title with victory at the Etihad.
Team News and Injury News
Let’s take a look at some team and injury news as we head towards the first six-figure title challenge of the 2024/25 season.
City of Man: Man City have a relatively clean bill of health ahead of one of their biggest games of the season, as well as one of the richest teams in general. Nathan Ake is expected to be out until October with a thigh problem, and they are also missing the talented #52 due to a long-term injury. Apart from that, Pep must have a complete player to choose from.
Armory: The Gunners have a few more things to think about ahead of their clash at the Etihad. On the positive side, Declan Rice returns from a one-match ban following his red card against Brighton. On the downside, their captain is unlikely to return in time to captain the team against Man City. Mikel Merino is expected to be sidelined with a shoulder injury until October, and is joined by Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (thigh). Gabriel Jesus returned to training last week and Riccardo Calafiori only suffered a minor injury on international duty so could return. Bukayo Saka did have to leave the field early against Tottenham due to injury last week, but Arteta and company hope he can bounce back in time for this weekend (as he often does).
Players to Watch
It’s easier to name players you shouldn’t watch! Man City and Arsenal are the two best teams in England at the moment – if not the world. The second XI is filled with an embarrassment of talents. Matches like these are often decided by flashpoints, so the matchup of their super striker – the best goalscorer in the world – against William Lintasa and Gabriel – the best defensive duo in the country – is destined to be a winner or loser. . On the other side of the pitch, Bukayo Saka might fancy his chances of finding space on the left side of the Man City defence, especially when Gvardiol or Lewis come into midfield. Kai Havertz will also look to find some fun between Rodri and the two centre-backs. The heart of the midfield will also be an interesting battle, with Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri going up against the likes of Declan Rice and Thomas Partey.
Head-to-head record
Since the first match in 1893, Man City and Arsenal have met 169 times in all competitions. Thanks to Arsenal’s dominance before the 2008 takeover, they have a much better record in the game than their Manchester counterparts. The Reds have 83 wins from 169 games, compared to just 48 wins for the sky blue corner (with 38 draws). Arsenal have scored 274 goals in those games, with City scoring 203 goals.
However, it’s a different story if you look at the recent history between the two parties. Last season’s game ended in a 0-0 draw at the Etihad, but it was by far Arsenal’s best result there in recent times. Mikel Arteta will likely bite your hand for away points this time. In the last ten PL matches between them, Man City managed eight wins and one draw, with Arsenal winning just once. The goal ratio in those ten matches is 22 for Man City and only four for the Gunners. One thing that is interesting for Arsenal is that they are unbeaten in the last two matches against their title rivals.
Potential Implications
The implications are quite simple and quite large for this. Last season, Man City finished two points above Arsenal. That means a win against your title rival could decide the trophy itself. We often talk about the six-pointer at the bottom of the table when it comes to relegation, but it’s just as important at the top of the table. Not only can Arsenal get three points by beating City, but they can also guarantee The Citizens lose three points at the same time.
Man City vs Arsenal odds
Betsson is currently offering a range of odds on Man City vs Arsenal ahead of this weekend’s top-flight clash!
Man City who will win: 1.85
Draw: 3.70
Arsenal to win: 4.50
Last season, this game finished 0-0 and you can get odds of 10.00 for that to happen again. Man City’s 1-0 win comes at odds of 6.80, 2-0 is 8.60, 2-1 is 7.80 and 3-0 is 15.00. On the other hand, if you want Arsenal to spring a surprise, a 1-0 win over the Gunners at odds of 11.00 or 2-1 will give you 13.00.
We also offer odds on this season’s PL winners, with Man City and Arsenal expected to push each other. Man City are currently favorites to lift the trophy for the fifth time in a row at odds of 1.90, with Arsenal coming in at odds of 3.00.
You can browse Betsson’s range of betting options for Man City vs Arsenal HERE.
Score Prediction
It’s hard to see anything other than a Man City home win. The defending champions are not only extremely dominant at home, but they have also consistently beaten Arsenal in this match for the last five years. Even so, Pep Guardiola’s team did look vulnerable against Brentford in the last match, especially in the first 15 minutes. If the Gunners start quickly and defend resolutely, they might be able to get something out of this game… although it’s unlikely.
Score prediction: Man City 3-1 Arsenal
PS: The odds may have changed since this article was written and published.
Last Updated: 09.20.2024
