At the start of the season, I fancied both of these sides to be in contention for the title. So far that’s just about holding true as both clubs are still “in it” but neither are excelling.
These are two clubs with very different ways of working. One is not afraid to spend money on players and has gone out to employ the World’s best manager and then pair him up with players to match. The other has a manager of long-standing, perhaps coming to the end of his time at the club and have been much more reluctant to spend big even if the purse strings seem to have been loosened the last few seasons.
One thing they do have in common though is that both managers like their sides to play good football. That often means keeping possession for long periods of time but with just one football on the field, it will be interesting to see which side aims to keep possession and what the other team are going to do about it.
Both managers have been in for some criticism recently. It’s not unheard of for Wenger to be called naïve but Guardiola seems to have been showing a touch of that himself, especially after playing a high line against Leicester who went on to destroy them last weekend. Wenger saw his side lose midweek to Everton and losing games of that ilk has cost him in the past, a lesson he doesn’t seem to have learned.
Guardiola is swiftly learning that there are no easy games in the Premier League. There may be relegation contenders but even the bottom side in the league can beat the leaders is they’re not on their game. His expensively assembled side have looked fantastic at times but lackadaisical at others. Too many more slip-ups and City will be out of the title race for good.
Arsenal have the advantage of a pretty much full squad to choose from. There are a couple of long-term injuries but a very strong side can be put out for this match and, Cazorla apart, you could say that the XI that takes the field are their best XI.
That can’t be said for Manchester City who will be missing both Fernandinho and, more importantly, Sergio Aguero for this one. Both are out through suspension and that really gives Arsenal a chance in this one.
I have to say I think Arsenal can win this one. Their defence is stronger and that gives them a great base to work from. They also have the league\’s outstanding player right now in the shape of Alexis Sanchez. He gives any side a chance and his understanding with Mesut Özil has worked out really well for the Gunners.
I’d be tempted to back them in the match odds market but instead I’m looking for goals. I do think this will be an entertaining match and there should be a decent number of goals. I’m going for the Over 3 goals market among Green Listed Bookmakers and I’ll be taking a little bit of the 2.12 that Pinnacle offers.
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