The confrontations between Man City and Arsenal are always very attractive in offensive football, and ahead is a match that is decisive for the championship ambitions of both opponents
When the ball starts rolling at Emirates Stadium, it is likely that the top spot in the Premier League table will temporarily change hands in case Liverpool gets a point against Brighton (8:00 p.m., Anfield Stadium).
If Liverpool wins against Brighton, the mental pressure will increase significantly for both Man City and Arsenal.
Man City has an outstanding record, winning 12 of the last 13 matches against Arsenal in the Premier League. The only defeat in this period was the first leg at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal has not won both matches against Man City in a season since 2007-08, when UAE billionaires had not yet bought the Manchester club (then owned by Thaksin Shinawatra).
If this curse is solved in tonight’s match, the Gunners will defeat the Premier League champions twice in one season for the first time since 2001-02 (won 3-1 and 1-0 against MU). That was also the season they won the championship and won the FA Cup.
A curse that is not easy to break, as Arsenal lost all 7 recent away matches at Etihad Stadium in the Premier League.
Another defeat will cause Mikel Arteta’s team to repeat a sad record: the longest away losing streak against the same opponent. They were empty-handed in 8 consecutive matches against Leeds in the period 1958-1968.
This is also Man City’s longest streak of not losing at home since 42 consecutive matches between December 1919 and November 1921.
Last minute explosion
Man City and Arsenal both have the habit of controlling the ball, thereby imposing the style of play they want against any opponent through the flexibility of passing.
Rodri is the foundation of Man City’s playing style. Meanwhile, Arsenal relied on the ball development of Declan Rice and William Saliba – the only one in the team to exceed 2,000 passes (2,235, 92.3% accuracy).
This kicking method allows both teams to score very early. What they have in common is the explosion in the first 15 minutes of the first half.
However, the second half, especially after the 75th minute, is the favorite time of Man City and Arsenal’s attackers.
The two teams had the same 16 goals in the last 15 minutes of Premier League matches, accounting for 24.5% of Man City’s total goals, or 22.9% of the goals Arsenal scored so far.
It was the late goals that helped Arsenal solve many matches to get to the top of the table today.
Mikel Arteta’s team wins Brentford in both legs (2-1 and 1-0) according to this scenario; surpassed Luton 4-3 thanks to Declan Rice’s goal in the 97th minute; or beat Man City in the first leg with a flash of Gabriel Martinelli (86′).
In the 3-1 win over Liverpool, the Gunners also sealed the result and ended all hope of their opponents in the last 15 minutes.
The data shows that the battle at Etihad promises to be very exciting with a chase game until the last moment.
