Arsenal vs Man City – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

The Gunners are looking for their first trophy in six years. City are winless in six matches against Arsenal, losing two and drawing four of those clashes.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal are nine points clear of Man City in the league table, and are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They can still win the quadruple as they look to get one piece of silverware under their belts in this one. They won 4-1 vs Tottenham and 2-1 vs Chelsea in key wins.

A 1-0 win at Brighton saw a defensive display, before beating Mansfield Town 2-1 to progress in the FA Cup. They drew 1-1 at Bayer Leverkusen and won 2-0 at home in the second leg in midweek. Before those two fixtures saw a 2-0 home win over Everton with two late goals scored.

Arsenal Team News

Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard are doubtful for this match and will need late fitness tests. Leandro Trossard is available to boost options in attack.

Mikel Merino is ruled out in midfield. Eberechi Eze should be fit to play after going off with a knock in midweek.

Arsenal Motivation

The Gunners are highly motivated to win this match in 90 minutes and reach the quarter-finals.

They won’t play an open game. If leading, expect a low block with energy being conserved for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final vs Man City.

Man City Form

Man City’s last 14 matches have seen just two defeats. They put together an 11-match winless run which included six straight wins. A 2-2 home draw vs Nottingham Forest was a key result in the title race as they lost ground on Arsenal. A 3-1 win at Newcastle in the FA Cup saw a fine display.

City went to Real Madrid and were thrashed 3-0 after a disastrous first half. They could only draw 1-1 at West Ham as they conceded from their opponents’ only shot after producing 24 shots of their own. In midweek, they lost 2-1 at home to Man City after playing 70 minutes with ten men.

Man City Team News

Josko Gvardiol is City’s only absentee for this match, as both Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic have returned to the fold. Pep Guardiola’s lineup is very difficult to predict.

Marc Guehi is ineligible for this final, but Antoine Semenyo looks likely to be recalled to the XI. Nico O’Reilly and Phil Foden are both pushing for starts after playing no part in the second leg vs Real Madrid.

Man City Motivation

City will be desperate to bounce back from poor recent results. The Champions League chase is over, and their title challenge is faltering.

This match represents a realistic chance to win silverware. They will have plenty of the ball in the match and will try to control Arsenal’s counters and set-pieces.

Key Stats

• Arsenal are unbeaten in 6 matches vs Man City (2 wins, 4 draws)
• Arsenal have won 11 of their last 14 matches (3 draws)
• Man City have lost just 2 of their last 3 matches
• Man City’s Erling Haaland has scored just 3 goals in his last 15 domestic matches

Verdict

The poor goalscoring run of Haaland and Arsenal’s fine form suggests a Gunners win in 90 minutes.

Best Bet: Arsenal win at 2.38

Value Bet: Arsenal to win by exactly one goal at 3.85