Title defenders, Manchester City are aiming to extend their remarkable winning streak against Arsenal in the Premier League to a record-tying 13 consecutive victories when they take on North London side Arsenal this Sunday. The game is set to take place at the Emirates Stadium in North London, making it a highly-anticipated encounter at the top of the league table just before the international break.
Both Arsenal and Manchester City are likely to be without key players for this crucial clash. Bukayo Saka’s impressive run of appearing in 87 consecutive Premier League matches for Arsenal may come to an end due to his recent injury during the midweek UEFA Champions League loss to Lens.
This streak stands as the longest current run among all Premier League players and marks a historic achievement in Arsenal’s club history. Saka’s absence will add to the list of absentees for the Gunners, which already includes Gabriel Martinelli and Jurrien Timber.
In the goalkeeping department, it appears that David Raya will be the preferred choice over Aaron Ramsdale, having started in five of their last six competitive matches. Furthermore, there are expectations that Thomas Partey will return to the midfield alongside Declan Rice after recovering from an injury that kept him out since the 2-2 draw with Fulham in August.
Defending Premier League champions Manchester City will have to contend with the absence of influential midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri. De Bruyne has been sidelined since his departure in the opening day victory against Burnley and is not expected to return until at least Christmas. Rodri, on the other hand, received a three-match ban for violent conduct during Manchester City’s recent win over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium. Interestingly, Manchester City’s performance in the Premier League has shown a significant difference with and without Rodri; they have lost five out of 15 matches in his absence since his Premier League debut in August 2019, compared to just five losses in their last 67 league games when Rodri has been in the lineup.
Among the current City squad, De Bruyne holds the record for the most Premier League goals against Arsenal, with eight. Rodri joins the shortlist of three players who have scored multiple goals against the Gunners in the competition, along with Erling Haaland (two) and Bernardo Silva (two).
As for Haaland, it appears very likely that he will be available for City on Sunday. Haaland played a pivotal role in four of Manchester City’s seven league goals against Arsenal in the previous season and boasts a commendable record in London, having scored in each of his last four Premier League appearances in the English capital. The only player to achieve a similar feat for a non-London team is Ruud van Nistelrooy, who did so between September 2002 and September 2003.
Arsenal has endured a challenging stretch against Manchester City in the Premier League, losing 12 consecutive games. Another loss in this match would equal the competition record for most consecutive defeats by one team against another, currently shared by Wigan Athletic versus Manchester United and West Brom versus Manchester City (both 13 in a row). This losing streak against City already stands as Arsenal’s longest against a single opponent in their league history.
Mikel Arteta, former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and current Arsenal manager, has managed to secure victories against 23 of the 24 teams he’s faced in the Premier League. However, his record against City is less favorable, as he has lost all seven previous meetings in the competition. Against all other 23 clubs in the division, Arteta has maintained a minimum of one point per game on average.
Arsenal has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League encounters with Manchester City, with their last shutout against City occurring in January 2015 with a 2-0 away win. This marks their longest streak without a league clean sheet against an opponent since a 30-game run against Manchester United between 1953 and 1968.
The 2023-24 season could potentially bring positive changes for Arsenal. They have already secured an FA Community Shield victory over Manchester City this season, winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium. Although recorded as a draw in the books, Arsenal’s last competitive triumph over Manchester City was in the 2019-20 FA Cup semi-final, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring two goals to secure a 2-0 victory.
Manchester City’s recent Premier League loss to Wolves last weekend raises the possibility of consecutive league defeats for the first time in nearly five years, their last occurrence being in December 2018 against Crystal Palace and Leicester City. However, they bounced back from this mini-slump with a 3-1 away victory in the UEFA Champions League against RB Leipzig, featuring goals from Phil Foden, Julián Álvarez, and Jérémy Doku, following an EFL Cup loss to Newcastle United three days prior.
In Matchweek 8, Luton Town will face Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, October 7th, with the Hatters aiming to maintain their momentum after climbing out of the relegation zone with a crucial win against Everton. Crystal Palace will also take on Nottingham Forest later that afternoon, with the Eagles seeking to build on their victory at Old Trafford. Brighton & Hove Albion will aim to rebound from a heavy defeat against Aston Villa as they face Liverpool on Sunday, October 8th, with the opportunity to surpass Liverpool in the standings. Jurgen Klopp’s side will be eager to avenge their recent misfortune at Spurs, where a disallowed goal cost them valuable points.
Saturday Fixtures
Luton Town Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Burnley Vs Chelsea
Everton Vs Bournemouth
FUlham Vs Sheffield United
Manchester United Vs Brentford
Crystal Palace Vs Nottingham Forest
Sunday Fixtures
Brighton and Hove Albion Vs Liverpool
Westham United Vs Newcastle United
Wolverhampton Vs Aston Villa
Asenal Vs Manchester City
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