City are back at home in the league on Sunday, as Arsenal make their trip to the Etihad to face the champions. After a string of recent below-par performances (yet still usually wins), City will be looking to regain their form going into a tough run of games, and the Gunners could be the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Of course, City’s ventures out against Arsenal this season have been somewhat less than successful. The first match-up came back in August in the Community Shield at Wembley, where a weakened City team succumbed to a 3-0 loss against a stronger Gunners side.
A month later, City made the trip down to London again, to face Arsenal at The Emirates. Although City managed to take the lead in that fixture, through Sergio Aguero, Arsenal looked set to get the three points after goals from Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez turned the tie around. A Martin Demichelis equaliser 10 minutes from time saved the day, earning a point against The Gunners.
Of course, in this fixture last season, City fans will well remember how The Blues were rampant against a shocked Arsenal side. Again, Aguero netted against Arsene Wenger’s side, as did Negredo, Fernandinho (2), Silva and Yaya Toure in a remarkable 6-3 victory that damaged Arsenal’s title and ambitions and launched City’s. Whilst that may not happen again this season, it will go down in history.
Ahead of the game, Manuel Pellegrini does have some absentees from his squad to take into account. Former Gunner Samir Nasri is a new addition to the injury list with a calf muscle injury that could keep him out until next month, whilst Edin Dzeko could be about to come off of the injury list, although he has a late fitness test ahead of Sunday’s match. City are also without Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony, who are both at the African Cup of Nations until next month.
Whilst Arsenal don’t have any players away at the AFCON, they do have a fairly lengthy injury list. Mikel Arteta (ankle) and Matheiu Debuchy (shoulder) both have injuries that could keep them out until April, whilst ex-Manchester United man Danny Welbeck (hip), Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Abou Diaby is out with a calf muscle strain.
This game could turn out to be important for both the teams involved. Both of the teams go into Sunday’s match with all their closest rivals having played on Saturday (Chelsea for City and Manchester United/Tottenham for Arsenal), which means both The Blues and The Gunners could do with a win to keep them in touching distance. City also need a win ahead of a tough run of games that includes a visit to Stamford Bridge in two weeks.
