Arsenal have been handed a potential hidden boost in the title race after their game against Manchester City in midweek had to be rearranged. The top of the table clash was scheduled to play this week, however the rearrangement of the Europa League clash with PSV Eindhoven due to policing issues meant that the games had to be shuffled around.
The Gunners now face their Dutch opponents on Thursday, hoping to top their group and move one step closer to guaranteeing a first-placed finish and a route into the next round. In picking his side for the clash, Mikel Arteta will have to balance rotating his side with starting one strong enough to beat PSV.
“We have to maintain the level of performance we are at right now and the demand will be to do it every three days, which is what you are hoping for when you are at this club,” the Spaniard said when discussing team selection in Europe. “Rotation depends on the level of the opposition, the state of our squad and where everybody is. Let’s take it game by game, see how the fitness of the team is and we’ll make the best possible decisions."
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While they will be hoping to continue their good form in Europe, the rearranged fixture may well have helped their cause in the Premier League too. With a clash against Manchester City on the cards, it was always going to be the greatest test the Gunners would have of their title credentials.
While there isn't that opportunity, there is the chance to continue their run of form against Southampton next up in the league, eyeing the chance to carry momentum week to week that may have been broken if they lost to the Citizens. Add to that the fact that Pep Guardiola's side are renowned for bouncing back, having lost to Liverpool last time out.
City have managed to win 17 of their last 18 games following a defeat - the only outlier being a 1-1 draw with Leeds United. Their ability to devastate is there too, with those games averaging 3.38 goals and conceding just 0.44 per match after falling to a defeat.
It suggests Arsenal could have been on the end of a huge defeat in response to their recent loss, but that has been avoided this time around. With two clashes set for the second half of the season, it could prove to be a huge game once it swings back around.
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