Manchester City - Arsenal: Match
For me, this match is a bit like Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan meeting again as Jedi knights. Let's talk a bit more seriously. Mikel Arteta has learned a lot about football and tactics from Pep Guardiola, and now he would like to show his master a thing or two as a student. He has tried to do this several times in the past, but so far, he has not been very successful. There have been a few victories against the bald Catalan in their rivalry. This will be an important clash, as there is only a one-point difference between the two contenders in the race for the Premier League title. A draw would make Liverpool the laughing third!
Pep and Mikel, or master and student, face off.
Looking at the current standings in the Premier League, we can see that after 28 rounds, Arsenal has a one-point lead over Manchester City. It may also be noticed that Arsenal has scored seven more goals than the Gunners, and they have been scored against them less often. In terms of statistics, the relationship between the master and the student is evident, as Guardiola's team possesses the ball on average 65% of the time per match, while Arteta's players have possession 61% of the time. City leads in the number of passes, but Arsenal is also in the top positions.
So, two similar styles clash, but how has the record been between the two masters so far? They have faced each other a total of 11 times, with Guardiola being the more skilled in 8 instances and winning, while Arteta and his team won the remaining 3 matches. Among these matches are all kinds of competitions, including league matches, FA Cup games, and League Cup encounters. What may be important is that Guardiola has previously dominated the rivalry, but in the last two occasions, the bald Catalan could not celebrate victory.
Firstly, there was the FA Community Shield, the English Super Cup, which the London club won after penalties. I don't think Guardiola is interested in a Community Shield trophy anymore; it was more of a prestige loss. Their clash in the league last October was also close to a draw. But in the final minutes, the currently injured Gabriel Martinelli arrived and won the game for Arsenal. It was an important three points, and perhaps now Arteta believes he can outdo his master.
Guardiola's losses due to international breaks make his job very difficult.
The international break did not come at a good time for Manchester City, as several players returned to the team with injuries. Kevin de Bruyne, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, or Kyle Walker are mentioned, and their availability is questionable. It could be said in the recent period that City miraculously starts the spring with almost no absentees. Perhaps the Catalan master sensed trouble in advance, as he indicated before the international break that he would not watch a single game. He also hopes very much that all his players will survive the national team matches.
Certainly unavailable on the visitors' side is Jurrien Timber, and two more players are struggling with injuries on the Arsenal side. The previously mentioned Gabriel Martinelli, who decided the previous match against each other, is not in perfect condition. Bukayo Saka is also not in perfect shape, but overall it can be seen that the Gunners have come out of the international break in better shape. Looking at the forms, the teams are in top form, and their supporters have not had much reason to be sad lately.
Overall, I expect a highly intense battle that could be worthy of a final match.
