Fourth-placed Arsenal look to keep Aston Villa at bay by extending their lon unbeaten run when they face the last team to defeat them in the Premier League - Manchester City...
Arsenal seem to have found their path back to fourth place as they are currently riding a 16-game unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League. The Gunners have taken over as favorites to outpace Aston Villa for the final Champions League spot as the north London club welcome back several key men from injury problems. However, if Arsenal are to continue on this good run they will need to overcome the last team to defeat them in the league when they face Manchester City.
Manchester City have had mixed fortune over the last few months, but are on a streak of their own as they are unbeaten in their last three league encounters. Mark Hughes has guided his side to the last ever UEFA Cup quarter-finals, but there is still work to be done in getting his side in the first ever Europa League next year. Facing several injury concerns, Hughes will have his work cut out in managing his large squad while keeping his troops focused on silverware and improved league position.
The January signing of Andrei Arshavin has slowly begun to pay dividends as the Russian begins to find his form and stamina in the Premier League. The former Zenit all-star has already put in some promising performances, as Wenger looks to have pulled in a quality January signing. Mark Hughes' January acquisitions have also made a big impact, with Craig Bellamy scoring several goals before falling out of the team with an injury that threatens his involvement in this weekend's encounter.
FORM GUIDE
Arsenal
Arsenal 3-0 Burnley (FA Cup)
AS Roma 1-0 Arsenal (CL)
Arsenal 4-0 Blackburn (Prem)
Arsenal 2-1 Hull City (FA Cup)
Newcastle 1-3 Arsenal (Prem)
Manchester City
West Ham 1-0 Man City (Prem)
Man City 2-0 Aalborg (UEFA Cup)
Chelsea 1-0 Man City (Prem)
Aalborg 2-0 Man City (UEFA Cup)
Man City 1-0 Sunderland (Prem)
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal
Arsenal welcome back captain Cesc Fabregas, who after being involved in a spitting row with Hull City, will be happy to be back playing football for the first time since limping off before Christmas.
Emmanuel Adebayor will also be back in the squad after returning from two months out with a hamstring problem.
Injury-plagued Theo Walcott will also be available after two weeks out with a knee injury.
Strike duo Robin van Persie and Eduardo miss out against Manchester City with groin injuries sustained while on international duty, while Abou Diaby will miss out with a thigh injury picked up while playing for France.
Samir Nasri is doubtful as he recovers from the flu, while Carlos Vela’s late arrival from Mexico is expected to keep him out of the side.
Squad: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott, Denilson, Fabregas, Arshavin, Bendtner, Adebayor, Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Vela, Eboue, Silvestre, Song, Nasri.
Manchester City
Mark Hughes has made public his intentions of benching Robinho for this tie, fulfilling the press speculation that the under-performing Brazilian will lose his place due to poor showings.
Elano could accompany his compatriot Robinho on the bench as the pair will arrive in the UK late from their qualifiers.
Craig Bellamy missed Wales' clash with Germany and looks set to miss City’s trip to London this weekend with a knee problem.
Wayne Bridge should return to make this clash after recovering from a hamstring strain.
Martin Petrov has finally returned to full training, though he seems unlikely to feature against the Gunners, while trio Benjani, Danny Sturridge, and Michael Johnson are nearly ready to return to first team action for the Citizens.
Squad: Given, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Zabaleta, Wright-Phillips, Elano, De Jong, Kompany, Robinho, Bojinov, Bridge, Garrido, Fernandes, Evans, Etuhu, Berti, Vassell, McGivern, Hart.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arsenal
After months on the sideline and on the heels of the notorious “spitgate,” captain Cesc Fabregas will be at the centre of attention this weekend if the Spaniard makes his long-awaited return. The star midfielder could be the key in keeping Arsène Wenger’s men in the top four in this crucial stretch of the season.
Manchester City
With Robinho to be benched, Manchester City will need the offensive spark provided by Stephen Ireland. The academy graduate began the season in flying form, leading for some to call for the youngster to be named player of the season. Yet, the midfielder has fallen off as of late and what better time to come back into form than at the Emirates Stadium.
PREDICTION
Manchester City are a club finding their feet with new personnel while being involved in several competitions. The Sky Blues' squad may be stretched too thin in contrast with that of Arsenal gaffer Arsène Wenger who has the luxury of fielding his now standard youth side in several non-league competitions. Arsenal are a team on a good run looking to continue their unbeaten streak, as they move to make certain their hold on fourth place.
Hughes will be benching his Brazilian star Robinho and the reaction to this decision remains to be seen, yet the team’s leading scorer has been dismal away from home. With City in need of points in search of Wigan’s seventh spot, a win on the road may be hard to come by for a City side that have shown their inability to travel this season time and time again.
Arsenal 2-0 Man City
Arsenal seem to have found their path back to fourth place as they are currently riding a 16-game unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League. The Gunners have taken over as favorites to outpace Aston Villa for the final Champions League spot as the north London club welcome back several key men from injury problems. However, if Arsenal are to continue on this good run they will need to overcome the last team to defeat them in the league when they face Manchester City.
Manchester City have had mixed fortune over the last few months, but are on a streak of their own as they are unbeaten in their last three league encounters. Mark Hughes has guided his side to the last ever UEFA Cup quarter-finals, but there is still work to be done in getting his side in the first ever Europa League next year. Facing several injury concerns, Hughes will have his work cut out in managing his large squad while keeping his troops focused on silverware and improved league position.
The January signing of Andrei Arshavin has slowly begun to pay dividends as the Russian begins to find his form and stamina in the Premier League. The former Zenit all-star has already put in some promising performances, as Wenger looks to have pulled in a quality January signing. Mark Hughes' January acquisitions have also made a big impact, with Craig Bellamy scoring several goals before falling out of the team with an injury that threatens his involvement in this weekend's encounter.
FORM GUIDE
Arsenal
Arsenal 3-0 Burnley (FA Cup)
AS Roma 1-0 Arsenal (CL)
Arsenal 4-0 Blackburn (Prem)
Arsenal 2-1 Hull City (FA Cup)
Newcastle 1-3 Arsenal (Prem)
Manchester City
West Ham 1-0 Man City (Prem)
Man City 2-0 Aalborg (UEFA Cup)
Chelsea 1-0 Man City (Prem)
Aalborg 2-0 Man City (UEFA Cup)
Man City 1-0 Sunderland (Prem)
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal
Arsenal welcome back captain Cesc Fabregas, who after being involved in a spitting row with Hull City, will be happy to be back playing football for the first time since limping off before Christmas.
Emmanuel Adebayor will also be back in the squad after returning from two months out with a hamstring problem.
Injury-plagued Theo Walcott will also be available after two weeks out with a knee injury.
Strike duo Robin van Persie and Eduardo miss out against Manchester City with groin injuries sustained while on international duty, while Abou Diaby will miss out with a thigh injury picked up while playing for France.
Samir Nasri is doubtful as he recovers from the flu, while Carlos Vela’s late arrival from Mexico is expected to keep him out of the side.
Squad: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott, Denilson, Fabregas, Arshavin, Bendtner, Adebayor, Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Vela, Eboue, Silvestre, Song, Nasri.
Manchester City
Mark Hughes has made public his intentions of benching Robinho for this tie, fulfilling the press speculation that the under-performing Brazilian will lose his place due to poor showings.
Elano could accompany his compatriot Robinho on the bench as the pair will arrive in the UK late from their qualifiers.
Craig Bellamy missed Wales' clash with Germany and looks set to miss City’s trip to London this weekend with a knee problem.
Wayne Bridge should return to make this clash after recovering from a hamstring strain.
Martin Petrov has finally returned to full training, though he seems unlikely to feature against the Gunners, while trio Benjani, Danny Sturridge, and Michael Johnson are nearly ready to return to first team action for the Citizens.
Squad: Given, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Zabaleta, Wright-Phillips, Elano, De Jong, Kompany, Robinho, Bojinov, Bridge, Garrido, Fernandes, Evans, Etuhu, Berti, Vassell, McGivern, Hart.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arsenal
After months on the sideline and on the heels of the notorious “spitgate,” captain Cesc Fabregas will be at the centre of attention this weekend if the Spaniard makes his long-awaited return. The star midfielder could be the key in keeping Arsène Wenger’s men in the top four in this crucial stretch of the season.
Manchester City
With Robinho to be benched, Manchester City will need the offensive spark provided by Stephen Ireland. The academy graduate began the season in flying form, leading for some to call for the youngster to be named player of the season. Yet, the midfielder has fallen off as of late and what better time to come back into form than at the Emirates Stadium.
PREDICTION
Manchester City are a club finding their feet with new personnel while being involved in several competitions. The Sky Blues' squad may be stretched too thin in contrast with that of Arsenal gaffer Arsène Wenger who has the luxury of fielding his now standard youth side in several non-league competitions. Arsenal are a team on a good run looking to continue their unbeaten streak, as they move to make certain their hold on fourth place.
Hughes will be benching his Brazilian star Robinho and the reaction to this decision remains to be seen, yet the team’s leading scorer has been dismal away from home. With City in need of points in search of Wigan’s seventh spot, a win on the road may be hard to come by for a City side that have shown their inability to travel this season time and time again.
Arsenal 2-0 Man City
