Manchester City vs Arsenal Prediction & Betting Tips (22 September)

Winner of 6 of the last 7 Premier League, Manchester City outrageously dominates on the national scene. Be wary all the same because the Skyblues are increasingly threatened by...Arsenal. Last year, they were uncompromising during the second half of the championship, which allowed them to win a new title 2 lengths ahead of the Gunners. Manchester City are logically considered the big favorites for their own succession this season. Pep Guardiola's men have simply been intractable so far.

They are already alone at the top of the Premier League with 4 wins against Chelsea 0-2, Ipswich 4-1, West Ham 1-3 and Brentford last weekend 2-1. Also ambitious in the Champions League, Manchester City was held to a draw at home by Inter for their entry into contention on Wednesday evening 0-0. After missing the Big 4 of the Premier League from 2016 to 2022, Arsenal replayed the leading roles during the two previous exercises. Indeed, the London team fought valiantly for the title but had to settle for the runner-up place behind Manchester City in 2023, 5 points behind, and 2024, 2 points behind. Logically ambitious this season, the Gunners hope to win the championship which has eluded them since the Invincibles season in 2004. They have also made a good start by not conceding any setbacks during the last 4 days. Held to a 1-1 home draw by Brighton before the international break, Arsenal otherwise won against Wolverhampton 2-0, Aston Villa 0-2 and rivals Tottenham last weekend 0-1.

For this poster, Manchester City still cannot count on the important defender Aké and the very promising winger Bobb, who have not sufficiently recovered from their physical problems. However, no other absences are to be deplored. Hampered by an injury at the start of the season, midfielder Rodri made his first start this week. After watching the Euro on TV, striker Haaland came back very motivated to attack this new exercise (9 goals in 4 PL matches). The other executives are there like Bernardo Silva (2 assists in PL) and De Bruyne (1 goal and 1 assist in PL). During the offseason, Manchester City let striker Julian Alvarez (Atlético Madrid) and defenders Cancelo (Al-Hilal) and Harwood-Bellis (Southampton) leave. Additionally, substitutes Sergio Gomez (Real Sociedad), Doyle (Wolverhampton), Kaboré (Benfica), Couto (Dortmund), Phillips (Ipswich) and Perrone (Como) have also left the club. Conversely, the former Gündogan returns to Manchester after a season at Barcelona and the electric Brazilian winger Savinho (Troyes/Girona) has arrived at the club. Several elements are missing for Arsenal this weekend .

Taking their place in the infirmary are captain Odegaard, rookie Mikel Merino as well as replacement defenders Tomiyasu and Tierney. Returning injured from selection, Italian international Calafiori is, for his part, available again while midfield captain Rice has finished serving his suspension. Very solid at the back, the Gunners have only conceded one goal in the first 4 championship matches. In the offensive sector, we find the essential Saka and Havertz. Goalkeeper Ramsdale (Southampton), attacking midfielder Smith Rowe (Fulham) and striker Nketiah (Crystal Palace) set sail this summer. In addition, replacements Nelson (Fulham), Lokonga (Sevilla FC) and Nuno Tavares (Lazio) have been loaned. In the opposite direction, the Gunners have definitely enlisted goalkeeper Raya (Brentford) who had a good season with the Gunners last year. In addition, Italian international Calafiori (Bologna) came to strengthen the defense, Spanish international Merino was poached from Real Sociedad while goalkeeper Neto (Bournemouth) and striker Sterling (Chelsea) arrived on loan.