Only more misery in store for Arsenal when Man City pay a visit
Published:The teatime kick-off in the Premier League features two teams in wildly different moments. While Arsenal are shedding self belief like a snake losing its skin, Manchester City are marching towards the title like an army of well drilled, yet flamboyant soldier ants.
If the 6-0 battering they received off Chelsea had all but ended Arsenal’s title hopes (not to mention left Arsene Wenger sick as a parrot on his 1,000th game in charge) then the following 2-2 draw at home to Swansea extinguished them completely.
Meanwhile, City arrive in north London with their confidence-ometer in overdrive, having inflicted such a one-sided 3-0 victory on their neighbours that Manchester United fans may take to the skies with their outrage.
When you factor in the 6-3 in City’s favour at the Etihad in the reverse fixture as well, City’s slickers look like they have the measure of Arsenal at 21/20.
No one could back the hosts with any volition at 13/5 either, which is the same price as the draw.
The Citizens exacted a 2-0 triumph on Wenger’s men in this fixture last season and given Manuel Pellegrini’s charges have set about recording five clean sheets in the league ahead of this one, an away win to nil should excite sufficiently at 14/5.
Arsenal’s assignment is made all the tougher by the absence of defensive lynchpin Laurent Koscielny, who misses the game through injury.
Thomas Vermaelen will deputise again, but with Yaya Toure and his 17-goal Premier League haul on the rampage, the French defender’s pace and tenacity could be sorely missed at the heart of the Gunners’ rearguard.
On that note, the Ivorian looks a top shout at 6/1 to add to his tally with the first goal of the game.
Arsenal are not likely to roll over, but they can just be thankful that this game isn’t a 12.45 kick-off.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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