Arsenal v Man City Betting Odds and Preview – Pre-season friendly

Premier League sides clash in Asia

Manchester City - Carlos Tevez
Manchester City - Carlos Tevez © GEPA pictures

Two of the Premier League’s top sides are out in Asia and are all set to square off on Friday, July 27th as Arsenal v Man City betting takes centre stage in the pre-season friendly circuit. Defending Premier League Champions Manchester City haven’t had a particularly successful pre-season so far, losing against Al-Hilal and then drawing blanks in a 0-0 draw away against German second tier side Dynamo Dresden they finally found some form with a 2-0 win against Turkish side Besiktas. Goals from Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany got the job done for City, in easily their best pre-season performance so far. They had looked a little laboured and lacking any drive and creativity going forward until they met Besiktas where they were much more lively. Carlos Tevez is still putting in solid minutes during the pre-season and naturally City will get stronger and stronger in their build up to the new domestic season. After facing Arsenal, Man City then move on to play the Malaysian national side before facing Chelsea in the Community Shield on August 12th. So that really is not too far away and match sharpness will really have to start being honed now.

So on to face Arsenal in what should be an entertaining and familiar experience for both sides. Manchester City of course have placed a bid for want away Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, so there is an added little something on this one. Roberto Mancini’s men will be favourites to take the win here, and there is likely to be less trailists and bit-part players making an appearance than there has been on their pre-season tour. Both sides won their respective home fixtures in the Premier League last season against the other, and both were 1-0 wins. But it will be particularly interesting to see how Arsenal’s shape and look without Robin van Persie stands up against a strong Manchester City back line. That is because it could well be a test that will be coming very soon in the new Premier League season.

The Gunners have only played one pre-season friendly so far, and that was a 2-1 victory against the Malaysia All-Stars XI. It certainly wasn’t as convincing of a win as it was then the two sides met this time last year, with Arsenal cruising to a 4-0 victory There was not too much to be taken from that though, because Arsene Wenger used two different sides for each half of the game, but it took late strikes from the Gunners to avoid an embarrassing defeat nonetheless. Thomas Eisfeld struck an equaliser with three minutes to go, and in the 89th minute Chuks Aneke scored the winner. Arsenal didn’t really create much as an attacking force throughout the entire game, even with a spattering of stars like Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. We will no doubt see a stronger side against Manchester City, and after playing Gervinho and Chamakh up front to start the match against the makeshift Malaysia side, Arsene Wenger really won’t have had too many questions answered about what to do up front next season should Robin van Persie depart.

Manchester City v Arsenal betting odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Man City 11/10, Arsenal 21/10, Draw 11/5

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