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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Dan Brown

Pundits disagree on Arsenal vs Man City score prediction

Manchester City will be aiming to leapfrog Arsenal in the Premier League table when the two sides meet on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola's side travel to the Emirates Stadium sitting three points behind the Gunners, with the Blues able to move to the top of the table on goal difference if they defeat the London outfit in midweek.

The Blues secured a comfortable victory over Aston Villa in the top flight on Sunday, with Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez all on target in the 3-1 win. However, it remains to be seen if Erling Haaland will be fit enough to play against the Gunners after he went off injured at half time at the weekend.

ALSO READ: Man City and Arsenal get empty gesture for Premier League showdown

Arsenal have been in scintillating form so far this season, which has led to some pundits backing Mikel Arteta's men to come out on top against City. On the other hand, several former players have suggested that the away side might have too much for the current league leaders.

Chris Sutton (BBC)

"It's so hard to call because they both have so much attacking talent, but it's worth pointing out that Arteta made lots of changes when he went to City in the FA Cup and did not show his hand in that game. Arsenal are not going to change the way they play - they can't.

"From my experience of being in title races, you cannot start being conservative halfway through the season. So, I am sure the Gunners will be bold and play with the same intensity they usually do.

"It's the right thing to do because I am not convinced by City defensively - they have had so many different combinations at the back this season, which hasn't helped. I would not be surprised if this game ended up in a draw but, if I am going to pick a winner, I am going with Arsenal.

"When they get chances, they will take them. This is not a title decider, though.

"There is still a very long way to go and I still think City will win the league, even if they lose on Wednesday."

Sutton's prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Man City

Bacary Sagna (Premier League Odds)

"I see Arsenal bouncing back from the FA Cup game, they'll put pressure on Manchester City and will want to extend their point gap.

"The fans will support the team from the start all the way to the end because they know the importance of the game. There's more pressure on Arsenal than Manchester City because they are top of the league.

"Manchester City will try to keep the possession of the ball, but Arsenal have the speed and quality to give them pressure. Both coaches will know how each one wants to play, tactically it will be very interesting. I think it will be 2-2, which suits Arsenal."

Sagna's prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Man City

Paul Merson (Sky Sports News)

"It's a massive football match. I think it’s make or break. If Man City go and win the game, I don’t see Arsenal coming back from that. I don’t see them beating Man City on Wednesday. I’d be quite shocked. They were so open at the back [against Brentford]. Played 2v2 at the back.

"If Brentford had picked the right pass at times they’d have got in and won that game. Ivan Toney misses a real good chance where he hits the bar and Man City have a better quality of player to pick that right pass. Come Wednesday night I’d be quite shocked if Arsenal went and won that game."

Thierry Henry (Amazon Prime Video)

"If I think about Arsenal it is difficult to not have my hat of being a fan on.

"Sometimes I like to take it out and see what’s in front of me. Obviously, it’s the closest we’ve been to Man City, even ahead of Man City.

"I know we lost in the cup recently, so that will have an impact. People think that it doesn’t have an impact, it does have an impact when you struggle to beat a team.

"Now where it’s kind of funny, in brackets, if I can say funny, is that for me it’s City versus City, tactically, because Mikel does a lot of what Pep does in terms of bringing the full backs inside, having that two-three-five shape off the ball to make sure that you can stay and put pressure in the opponent’s half. And you saw in the [FA] Cup that Arsenal could do that to City at City, that doesn’t happen often.

"So can we beat City? Yes, I think that we can beat City."

Henry then added: "And so, it’s going to be game of chess for me. Who’s going to be more brave?

"Obviously we are at home. So it’s on us to show everyone, and City, that this can be our title. But as we all know, and Mikel said it the other day, he wished it wasn’t City chasing because he knows from being in that camp before, what they can do."

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