da bet nacional： Manchester City and Arsenal face-off this weekend in a massive game that could go a long way to deciding positions come the end of the season. Accordingly, it’s Football FanCast’s Fixture in Focus.
da lvbet： The Gunners are just one point ahead of the Citizens going into Sunday’s game and Pep Guardiola will be desperate for victory to turn around what’s been an inconsistent season by his standards.
Both clubs will be looking to capitalise on a tricky derby day for Liverpool and any potential slip-up from Chelsea. Right now it’s a four-way battle for the title and it’s heating up by the week.
Wenger will take comfort in the fact his side are undefeated in their last seven games against City. Guardiola’s team are in fine home form though, only losing one of their last eleven at the Etihad.
It’s all set to be a very intriguing afternoon on Sunday.
Here are FIVE key battles on the pitch that we think will define the outcome…
David Silva vs Hector Bellerin
David Silva hasn’t looked quite at his best this season under Pep Guardiola. The three goals and three assists he has contributed to City’s season are not to be sniffed at, but below the output he is capable of.
Still, he did look back to his best during Wednesday night’s game against Watford and will no doubt be key against Arsenal.
Hector Bellerin returned from a month long lay-off against Stoke last weekend and immediately found his form, helping Walcott to his goal that afternoon.
This will be an intriguing battle on Sunday; Bellerin will have to be at his best to contain Silva. Everton found plenty of joy down Arsenal’s right hand side during their midweek win and improvement will be needed.
Theo Walcott vs. Aleksandar Kolarov
Another key battle on the flanks will be between these two experienced Premier League stars.
Walcott is showing some of the best form of his Arsenal career with ten goals and two assists offering devastating support to Alexis Sanchez’s haul this season. He’ll fancy his chances in getting at Kolarov.
The Serbian full-back will have to find the right balance between attack and defence. He’s important in supporting City’s forward threat but with Walcott lurking, his duties are likely to be defensive first – and he doesn’t have the pace to keep up with the England international.
If Walcott can isolate and exploit Kolarov, it would go a long way to securing victory for Arsenal.
Granit Xhaka vs. Yaya Toure
With suspensions and injuries for some of Man City’s key players hindering them over the coming weeks, they’ll be looking to Yaya Toure to step up and guide them through a difficult set of fixtures.
The City legend hasn’t had the best of seasons under Guardiola but excelled midweek against Watford to power them to victory.
Granit Xhaka is a class act in the heart of the Arsenal midfield but will face one of the toughest tests of his Arsenal career to date up against the experienced Ivory Coast international.
If Arsenal can’t contain Toure, he has the potential to inspire his entire team and get on the scoresheet.
Alexis Sanchez vs John Stones
John Stones has looked rather ropy at times in the heart of City’s defence but the Citizens simply can’t afford that to be the case when Arsenal come to town.
Alexis Sanchez is in lethal form for the Gunners and with 14 goals this season already, has played well even when Arsenal haven’t.
If he can expose Stones, it could be a long afternoon for Guardiola and City. A potential weak link in the City team given his lack of confidence right now, the England international must up his game.
Claudio Bravo vs Everyone
Manchester City can’t afford any more calamitous mistakes from their goalkeeper this season. He’s already cost them several points and their position in the table could be much different if not for some of his gaffes.
It all culminated in last week’s disaster of a result away to Leicester City and Arsenal fans will be hoping for another similarly shambolic performance on Sunday.
There’s no doubting that if he can stop the mistakes he has the ability to be a fine shot stopper, but in such a high profile game, the glare will be on him once again.
Does he have the confidence to put in a solid performance for City?