Our selections for Sunday’s massive clash at the Etihad include a positive result for Arsenal in a low-scoring game.
Premier League – Manchester City v Arsenal tips
The biggest game of the new Premier League season takes place on Sunday when unbeaten Arsenal head to the Etihad in an attempt to end Manchester City’s perfect start to the campaign.
City have claimed victories over Ipswich and Brentford on their own patch, but they have conceded early on in both of those matches and were not at their best in their goalless draw with Inter Milan in Wednesday’s Champions League clash.
The Gunners were involved in their own stalemate against Serie A opposition as they have goalkeeper David Raya to thank for saving a penalty and a stunning follow-up at Atalanta, and this looks set to be another game that could prove a bit of a grind.
Selections
Arsenal or draw double chance @ EVS
Under 2.5 goals @ 31/40
Jurrien Timber to be shown a card @ 17/4
Gunners capable of standing firm
Arsenal have finished Premier League runners-up to City in the last two seasons and they have demonstrated an ability to battle in the last few weeks which should stand them in good stead for the remainder of the campaign.
There was no better example of that than last week’s 1-0 victory at Tottenham when they took the lead through a Gabriel Magalhães header and then did not give Spurs a sniff as they closed the game out.
The Gunners showed great defensive resolve when they earned a goalless draw on their last visit to the Etihad, but they could have even grabbed a victory if they had displayed a touch more adventure.
There looks to be a strong chance that they can build on that on Sunday, especially as there has been the odd glimpse of vulnerability about the City defence, who have a tendency to switch off.
Stopping the red-hot Erling Haaland will be no easy feat, but there is definitely potential for the Gunners’ to bring City’s perfect league start to an end.
Goals could be thin on the ground
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is set to start with the mindset that his team already have a point from their Etihad trip so that could lead to an afternoon of frustration for Pep Guardiola’s team, just as they suffered against Inter in midweek.
All four of Arsenal’s matches this season have failed to generate more than two goals and it seems unlikely that this one will be packed full of penalty-area incidents as City could struggle to break through a tight Arsenal backline.
There was just one goal in the two league meetings last season and the sides also played out a 1-1 draw in the Community Shield at the beginning of that campaign, so don’t expect a glut of goals at the Etihad.
Timber could fall foul of referee
Injury prevented Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber from making more than two appearances for the Gunners last season following his arrival from Ajax, but the defender has established himself this term and could be in the thick of the action on Sunday.
The whole Arsenal defence will have to be on the ball from the first whistle and whoever Guardiola fields in the wide attacking midfield positions, the temptation will be there for Timber to dive in.
The Dutchman has been carded in the London outfit’s last two games against Brighton and Tottenham and could be cautioned again.
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