Masters of the pitch set for a power play, Man City vs Arsenal

As the top two teams from the last two years prepare to face off for the first time this season on Sunday, many are eager to see who will come out on top. Arsenal have been slowly but surely regaining the status they had in the early 2000s, while Manchester City have been all-conquering over the last four years, having won an unprecedented four Premier League titles in a row.

Manchester City have been near-perfect in the Premier League so far this season, winning all four of their league fixtures. However, after a lacklustre 0-0 draw in the opening round of the newly revamped Champions League against Inter Milan, Arteta’s men will be looking to emulate the Italian giants in stifling Manchester City’s fearsome attack.

Arteta must do without his captain, Martin Ødegaard, until November. His team are the challengers, and the onus will be on the men in red to take the game to Manchester City and make them feel uncomfortable.

Arteta took his first steps into coaching under his now-opponent, Pep Guardiola, learning Pep’s philosophies and tactics as his number two before taking the top job at Arsenal in December 2019. He’s hoping to guide his ever-improving side to their first win at the Etihad since the 2014-15 season.

Previously, Arsenal were criticised for being satisfied with a 0-0 draw in their last fixture against Manchester City at the end of last season. Many think that result cost them the title. The Gunners have been inching closer to dethroning Manchester City and claiming their first title since the iconic 2003-04 Invincible season. Since then, there have been 20 years of disappointment and close calls.

City’s unstoppable force meets Arsenal’s strategic grit

Manchester City want to continue their unbeaten start to the season, with Erling Haaland almost expected to add to his already impressive tally of nine goals in the first four games. Is another hat trick on the cards for the unstoppable Norwegian?

The setting for this clash is the City of Manchester Stadium, better known as the Etihad since 2011. It has often been criticised for being lifeless and quiet, earning the moniker “The Emptihad” due to the apparent lack of fans in the stands on match days.

Manchester City will also hope to keep attention away from the club’s 115 charges for financial irregularities, the hearing for which began on Monday. A guilty verdict could result in severe penalties, including expulsion from the Premier League or a lesser punishment, such as a points deduction. In recent years, points deductions have been handed out to both Everton and Nottingham Forest, while Leicester City avoided punishment earlier this year.

Arteta hopes to take inspiration from Inter Milan’s heroic defensive display on Wednesday night. He may also look to Brentford’s tactics after Thomas Frank’s side took the lead against Manchester City last season in an unbelievable 22 seconds, though they ultimately lost the close-fought match 2-1.

While it’s too early for this mouth-watering tie to be a title decider, it could provide an early psychological boost to whichever team comes out on top.

The highly anticipated showdown kicks off on Sunday, 22nd September, at 4pm BST.

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