Arsenal and Manchester City face off at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in a clash that could have a major impact on the Premier League title race – and seven pundits have shared their verdicts
The title race is reaching fever pitch – and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Manchester City and Arsenal lock horns at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday with the Premier League trophy in their sights.
Although six points separate the teams, the result has major ramifications. If City take all three points, their destiny will remain firmly in their hands, having played one game fewer than the Gunners.
From Arsenal’s perspective, a win would feel almost definitive – opening up a nine-point cushion and leaving City with a huge mountain to climb. Recent form, however, adds another layer to the story.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been stumbling lately, losing three of their last five outings, including a 2-0 defeat against City in the League Cup final. Meanwhile, City have been in ruthless form, brushing aside Liverpool 4-0 and Chelsea 3-0 with ease this month.
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As a result, momentum appears to sit with Pep Guardiola’s side – especially with Arsenal possibly fatigued after their midweek Champions League tie with Sporting. Although City have only beaten Arsenal once in their last seven meetings, so nothing is guaranteed.
It’s far from a predictable clash, but some of the Premier League’s most prominent pundits have given it a go – and it makes tough reading for Arsenal fans.
Alan Shearer – Man City win
“The whole season effectively comes down to this game. I think it’s huge and the biggest game of the season for both clubs,” Alan Shearer told Betfair. “Confidence and momentum is such a big thing, which is why I’m going to say a Man City home win. I think the belief they’ll get from beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup and the performances of the last couple of weeks.
“I think a draw would be a good result for Arsenal but I think City might have too much for them. Arteta knows there’s been no panic from Pep, has there? It’s always been pretty consistent, and they always cone good at this time of the year, and it looks as if they are.
“They’ve won their first trophy and could even end up getting the treble. I just think with the momentum that they’ve got and the confidence that they’ve got, I think they might have too much. It’d be really interesting to see what Arsenal do, whether they sort of sit back or try to take the game to City, but I think City might just have too much for them.”
Gary Neville – draw
“I think it’s going to be a draw on Sunday and I think it’ll be 1-1,” Gary Neville said on the Stick to Football podcast. “They have a midweek game in the Champions League which might actually be helpful for them. If Arsenal had a week to think about this game I don’t think that’d be helpful at all.”
Paul Scholes – Man City win
“I think City will win easily,” Paul Scholes told a visibly shocked Neville. “Just comfortable. Unless they get someone sent off or something stupid. I think they’ll win comfortably. Two or three [nil].”
Paul Merson – Man City win
“You can’t see anything but a Manchester City win,” said former Arsenal star Paul Merson to Sportskeeda. “I saw Arsenal in the first 15 minutes against Sporting in the Champions League and told my boy it would be 0-0. You just can’t see them scoring!
“I can’t see Arsenal winning all their remaining games if they lose to City on Sunday. It’s hard to watch Arsenal at the moment,” Merson continued. “But the players need to look at the bright side of it. If they beat City, the league is done and they win it. That is how they must think about this game.
“If Arsenal go to the Etihad, sit behind the ball, absorb all the pressure and try to play for a draw, they will get destroyed by City! I don’t know what Arsenal turn up for this game. They need to take the game to City here.
“I’m desperately trying to make a case for Arsenal, but I’m finding it extremely hard to do so. My heart says draw, but my head says Manchester City win. Football is so unpredictable and Arsenal will be hoping this game goes in their favour against all odds. But the way they’ve been playing is a big concern.”
Chris Sutton – Man City win
“The Gunners are good defensively… but their problem is that they don’t look like they are going to score,” Chris Sutton wrote on BBC Sport.
“There are still a lot of things that are good about Mikel Arteta’s side with the way they press and how organised they are but they are struggling to break teams down. They are lacking that bit of flair in the final third, which is where you fancy City really, but then Arsenal don’t need to win this game either.
“A draw is a good result for them, so Arteta’s side are not going to approach it with all guns blazing – they will play with balance and, if they get the job done with a boring 0-0, they will be a step closer to winning the title.
“As for City, I am often wrong but I am not as convinced by their recent form as some people are. Even so, I do think they will edge this.”
Roy Keane and Ian Wright – draw
“I don’t think it’s going to be easy [for Man City],” Arsenal legend Ian Wright said on the Stick to Football podcast while discussing Sunday’s game. “I think a draw.”
Roy Keane agreed, adding: “We’ll go 1-1.”
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