Arsenal vs Manchester City Prediction: Cagey affair on offer at Emirates

We may only be in the fifth week of this new Premier League season but Sunday’s pairing between Arsenal and Manchester City already has the smell of title eliminator in the air. The Emirates is the location for another early heavyweight clash, neither side can afford to be knocked out at full time.

Both Arsenal and City won their midweek Champions League outings – victories that came off the back of Premier League success the weekend before. Sunday’s visitors claiming Manchester bragging rights a week ago, now they cannot allow the Gunners to brag about another home win. 

Team News

After playing the role of super sub to perfection on Tuesday evening, Gabriel Martinelli looks as if he may have forced his way into Sunday’s starting eleven as a reward. The Brazilian forward broke the deadlock in Bilbao earlier in the week, he will now be tasked with doing the same against City.

Elsewhere on the field Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will have to settle on mixed news as far as potential returns are concerned. After injuring his shoulder against Nottingham Forest last week, Martin Odegaard may only fit for the bench. However, William Saliba could also make his return.

Before returning to the scene of last season’s 5-1 away day crime, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will be sweating on the fitness of metronomic midfielder Rodri. After the 29-year-old was commended for asking for his midweek substitution, he will now be asked whether he is fit to start.

If so, this will undoubtedly give City a further boost in their bid to boost themselves back up the league table and after scoring the opener in last Sunday’s Manchester derby, England international Phil Foden will once again be deployed to cause further mayhem via his attacking midfield role.

Arsenal vs Manchester City Odds

Arsenal are priced as favourites at 19/20 to win this game, with Manchester City the underdogs at 11/4. That gives the home team an implied win probability of 51.3% while a draw can also be backed at 11/4.

BTTS has been priced at 4/6 and over 2.5 goals is 4/5, while Viktor Gyokeres is the favourite to score first at 7/2.

Half-time Result - Draw @ 5/4

Due to the fact that both Arsenal and Manchester City have already dropped points this season, there is an element of do not lose than opposed to must win on Sunday. If a draw keeps the Gunners and the Cityzens in the title race, respective bosses Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola may declare an unwanted truce.

Which means even with an abundance of attacking talent on either side, the first 45 minutes could be more akin to tactical warfare rather than free flowing football. Expect the game to open up in the second half where it could go either way but I fancy a stalemate at the interval at odds of 5/4.

Abdukodir Khusanov to pick up a card @ 16/5

Although Pep Guardiola is known for his surprises when it comes to personnel, the decision to play Abdukodir Khusanov at right back last Sunday was certainly an eye raiser. The Uzbeki defender joined the Etihad outfit at the start of the year and it still looks as if he is yet to truly settle on the field.

With a central role being Khusanov’s preference, he was deployed in a wider role in last Sunday’s Manchester derby and although he got through those 90 minutes unscathed, the prospect of Arsenal’s attack causing him misery is completely different. Therefore 16/5 for a card is worth further consideration.

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