Sunday 12th August 1600hrs Arsenal v Manchester City Football – England – Premier League The Premier League returns this weekend with a potential blockbuster match on Super Sunday. There will be no shortage of attacking talent on show at the Emirates and with Unai Emery and Pep Guardiola in the dugout we could be set for a match to remember. The Gunners finished a distance behind the champions last season but a new manager and some interesting transfers have inspired hope amongst their supporters. For the visitors it’s all about continuing on from last season and building towards a title defence. There is usually a talking point or two when they clash and Sunday should be no different – read on for match preview and best betting tips for Arsenal against Manchester City.
Arsenal endured a really disappointing campaign last term and it signalled the end of Arsene Wenger’s time as manager of the club, bringing an end to what was a 23 year association. The early years of his reign were littered with titles, legendary teams and the odd European heartache along the way. At one point they were regarded as being amongst the best on the continent and whilst last season’s team came close to getting to the Europa League final, it’s fair to say that the Gunners are some away behind now, both domestically and in Europe. That’s the task that faces new head coach Unai Emery who has jumped straight back into football following his sacking at PSG. Known for his attention to detail and unwavering demanding style of coaching, Emery has an impressive track record without ever really excelling. That may sound harsh as his Sevilla team churned out Europa League after Europa League and he left France following a domestic treble. But he’s had failures as well and this will be a test of his credentials for a number of reasons, not least because he’s came into a club who have underperformed for years. So who better to start his reign against than the current champions!
Manchester City won the league title at a canter last season and were one of the most impressive winners of the Premier League there has been. So although they have only signed one player during the transfer window it’s understandable as they were the team who had the least to improve upon. That’s not say they are able to stand still, Riyad Mahrez arriving for a club record fee from Leicester has bolstered their already strong attacking options and his technical brilliance will be a huge asset this season. Pep Guardiola would have been happier had he been able to bring a central midfielder in but he couldn’t get the player he wanted and rather than panic buy, City will go with what they have for now. They picked up where the they left off from last season by coasting to a victory in the Community Shield against Chelsea. Two goals from Sergio Aguero secured another trophy but all eyes are now fixed on retaining the Premier League and maintaining their domestic dominance. It goes without saying that Guardiola will also be targeting the Champions League having come undone at the quarter final stage last term.
Arsenal have looked good in pre season but you sense this is going to be a work in progress. Emery will demand an intensity about their play that has not been there for a number of years about Wenger and he will also look to ensure they are better organised, more concentrated and harder to break down in general. They are all issued that have blighted the Gunners and if they are to reach the top four then it’s these aspects which will have to be much better. For all the technical side to Emery’s approach his teams are fit and hard working, and he’ll hope to see that on the park this Sunday. City are probably one of the few teams Arsenal will face who possess more quality and ability meaning they have to unsettle them in other areas of the game to get a result.
Some of the football City produced last season was breath taking and they blew teams away at times. It’s hard to say that they’ll be as dominant this time around but if last week is any sort of gauge then the opposition will have to get into gear quickly. Guardiola does not need to bed in a lot of new signings and as such his philosophy is well embedded into this squad which is huge. Sunday is going to be a challenge, not least as it’s the first game of the league season but as they face a team with a new manager and who have a point to prove. With City as champions all of their opponents will also be out to take their scalp.
Arsenal v Manchester City Betting Tips
On paper the one thing that stands out about both Arsenal and Manchester City is they have goals in them and are also packed full of creativity. Arsenal’s problem has been finding a system and formation that allows them to showcase all of that talent without exposing them in defence, which is what Emery has to figure out. City were plagued with that same issue 12 months ago following Guardiola’s first season which indicates it may take a bit of time for Arsenal’s new manager to succeed in doing that himself.
In terms of Sunday I think we’re in store for a really interesting game. The two coaches are well known to each other but unsurprisingly it is Guardiola who has came out on top more often than not. He’ll know his team are in for a hard test at the Emirates but they looked so smooth against Chelsea last weekend that it’s hard to see them failing to collect the three points. I expect Arsenal to have a decent campaign but I am backing City to leave North London on Sunday with all three points and a perfect start to the defence of their league title.
Selection: Manchester City 19/20 @ Coral
