Manchester City vs Arsenal – English Premier League – Preview

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Sreya

Manchester City hosts Arsenal at the Etihad on 8th May, Sunday as the battle for the last two spots in the top four of the English Premier League standings. Manchester City, who lost to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals this past weekend, are on the fourth position with sixty four points, a point ahead of Manchester United.

Arsenal are on the third position with sixty seven points courtesy their nineteen wins so far. While Manchester City lost 4-2 against Southampton, Arsenal won their previous game against Norwich City 1-0.

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Team News

David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov are sidelined through injuries for Manchester City. Arsenal will be without Per Mertesacker and Alex-Oxlaide Chamberlain.

Manchester City Possible Starting Lineup: Joe Hart, Bacary Sagna, Nicolas Otamendi, Elaquim Mangala, Gael Clichy, Fernando, Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Yaya Toure, Kevin de Bruyne, Sergio Aguero.

Arsenal Possible Starting Lineup: Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Gabriel Paulista, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“It’s a special game because we finish here at home after three intensive years. We’ve always received support of the fans, so we’re really happy with them. For me, the second season was the worst – if we can finish in third in this third season it wouldn’t be extraordinary but still a good season. I will have emotions on Sunday but I prefer not to show them in an external way.”

– Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City.

“We have regrets because we had a chance to finish top of the league. Our target now is to secure our position in the Champions League next year. If possible, to get in second place and at least secure third and on Sunday we can achieve that. If we win the two games, we will be all right.”

– Arsene Wenger, Arsenal.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, the last six games between these two clubs have resulted in three wins for Arsenal and only one victory for Manchester City. In fact, Arsenal are undefeated against Manchester City in their last five encounters in all competitions.

Arsenal are undefeated in their last eight Premier League matches, keeping a clean sheet in five of those games. Manchester City have scored at least two goals in five of their last six matches in the Premier League, so it should be a scoring affair.

Although the match is likely to be closely contested, a 2-1 win for Arsenal seems the most probable result.