Goal.com - Home

thumbnail Hello,
 
Played
September 23, 2012 11:00 PM SGT
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee:‬ M. Dean‎
Attendance:‬ 47318‎
 

Manchester City - Arsenal Preview: Impressive Gunners look to break long-running Etihad Stadium record

The title credentials of Wenger's side come into the spotlight against the holders, while the hosts need a big win after an uncertain start to the defence of their crown

By Husmukh Kerai

UEFA Champions League; Roberto Mancini; Real Madrid v Manchester City FC
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINEUPS


MANCHESTER CITY


Hart
Maicon, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy
Garcia, Barry
Milner, Toure, Silva

Tevez
ARSENAL

Mannone
Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs
Arteta, Cazorla, Diaby
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski

Manchester City could welcome back Sergio Aguero (knee) to the starting line-up following his return to the squad for the midweek clash against Real Madrid, but he is expected to again start on the bench for the champions.

Samir Nasri (hamstring) was substituted in the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu and could miss the next few weeks with injury.

Pablo Zabaleta (hamstring) is also expected to return to full fitness while fellow defender Micah Richards (ankle) remains a long-term absentee with no date earmarked for his return.

Wojciech Szczesny (ankle) is available for Arsene Wenger to select after the young shot-stopper sat out the match against Montpellier, but the Arsenal boss could opt for Vito Mannone, with the Italian having made three impressive appearances this term.

Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Emmanuel Frimpong (ACL) both resumed training for the Gunners this week, but the duo are another couple of weeks away from a first-team return.

Bacary Sagna (broken leg) and Tomas Rosicky (Achilles) are also set to return alongside the youngsters, with the match against West Ham on October 6 likely to be their first involvement in the squad this season.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • The three encounters between Manchester City and Arsenal last season all ended 1-0.
  • The defending champions have won 29 and lost none of their last 31 Premier League home matches.
  • There have been four red cards in the last four Premier League games between these two sides.
  • Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla (pictured right) has created more scoring chances for team-mates from open play than any other player (14).
  • The Gunners have lost just one of their last 10 Premier League away games.
  • Sunday's referee is Mike Dean and Arsenal have won just one of the last 14 Premier League matches with him in charge.


Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
Head to Head
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Jan 14, 2013 Arsenal FC 0 - Manchester City 2
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Sep 23, 2012 Manchester City 1 - Arsenal FC 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Club Friendlies ‎(FR)‎ Jul 27, 2012 Arsenal FC 0 - Manchester City 2
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Apr 8, 2012 Arsenal FC 1 - Manchester City 0
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Dec 19, 2011 Manchester City 1 - Arsenal FC 0
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Last Five Matches
Odds
Team News
Available Squads
1Joe HartGoalkeeper
4Vincent KompanyDefender
5Pablo ZabaletaDefender
6Joleon LescottDefender
22Gael ClichyDefender
11Scott Sinclair Midfielder
14Javi GarcíaMidfielder
21David SilvaStriker
42Yaya Touré Midfielder
10Edin DzekoStriker
16Sergio AgüeroStriker
30Costel PantilimonGoalkeeper
13Aleksandar KolarovDefender
33Matija NastasicDefender
17Jack RodwellMidfielder
18Gareth BarryMidfielder
32Carlos TévezStriker
45Mario BalotelliStriker
24Vito MannoneGoalkeeper
4Per MertesackerDefender
6Laurent KoscielnyDefender
25Carl Jenkinson Defender
28Kieran GibbsDefender
2A. DiabyMidfielder
8Mikel ArtetaMidfielder
16Aaron RamseyMidfielder
19Santi CazorlaMidfielder
9Lukas PodolskiStriker
27GervinhoStriker
-Damián MartínezGoalkeeper
27Andre SantosDefender
20Johan DjourouDefender
35Francis CoquelinMidfielder
12Olivier GiroudStriker
14Theo WalcottStriker
15Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainStriker
Results
 
Match News
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Man. United
26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool
23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham
21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa
19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City
19 0