Top 5 mental moments from Manchester City v Arsenal over the years

The last time Manchester City met Arsenal at the Etihad the game finished 6-3 and while few will be expecting a similar scoreline this time around, the game is sure to throw up plenty of incident.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are the 3/4 favourites for victory over the North Londoners with the Gunners 10/3 outsiders to triumph and a draw offered at 14/5 with Ladbrokes.

The bookmaker is also offering 11/2 on over 5.5 goals being scored in the game with the fixture the undoubted highlight of the weekend’s Premier League action.

And to get you in the mood for this tasty titanic contest we’ve got five of the most infamous incidents involving these two sides from over the years – so sit back and enjoy.

1. Adebayor gets carried away

The Togo striker received a less-than-hospitable welcome from the travelling Arsenal fans when the Gunners met City at the Etihad back in the 2009/10 season following Adebayor’s £25m move to the Sky Blues.

And so, when the African star found the net against his former employers, there was only one thing to do – sprint down to the other end of the pitch and celebrate in front of the away fans.

2. Lauren provides some laughs

Back when Manchester City were just another Premier League club, Arsenal were forced to come from behind to win following a rather comical own goal courtesy of Lauren.

Part of the legendary “Invincibles” back four of the 2003/04, the Cameroonian was able to show another side to his game during one encounter with the Sky Blues that season – it’s just a shame it was at the wrong end!

3. Claude the Arsenal fan has his say

A YouTube sensation to rival Manchester United’s Andy Tate and Wealdstone fan … er, the Wealdstone Raider, Claude the angry Arsenal fan was slightly less angry a couple of seasons back following a 1-1 draw with City – though it was still internet gold.

Having drawn justified applause for paying his respects to Arsenal legend David Rocastle, the Gooner then launched scathing attacks on both Paul Scholes and Jamie Redknapp – boys you have been warned.

4.Mario Balotelli leaves his mark

The Italian’s one assist for City may have been to set up Sergio Aguero for the end-of-season goal that sent an entire nation bonkers but before that Balotelli did a fine job of stuffing up the Sky Blues’ title hopes at nearly every turn.

An obvious example came during a league clash with Arsenal where the striker left his mark on the game – and Alex Song for that matter. This studs-up challenge resulted in a straight red card for Mario, thus handing the initiative to United in the title race – or so it appeared at the time.

5. THAT Pires/Henry Penalty

While it’s often forgotten that Arsenal took two penalties against City back in this 2006 Premier League clash at Highbury, it’s only the second one that really matters, given the sheer ineptitude demonstrated by all involved.

A spot kick that needs little introduction other than to say it wound then-City full-back Danny Mills right up – so thanks, at least, for that Bobby!

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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