Already trailing in their bid to recapture the Premier League (PL) title, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were knocked out by former assistant Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in last season’s FA-Cup semi-final, but in the league, the ‘Sky Blues’ have won six straight H2Hs. Consistent scorers, they have put exactly three goals past the Arsenal goalkeeper in five of those.
City’s last home match saw them lose 5-2 vs Leicester, marking Guardiola’s heaviest home defeat as City boss. Furthermore, it was the first time in 438 matches at the Etihad Stadium that City conceded five goals. The shock was even greater considering they’d conceded just one goal in the preceding seven PL matches here.
Arsenal, meanwhile, has seen all of their four league matches played so far feature over 2.5 total goals. However, they have been ahead at HT in just one of four PL matches so far, and that trend is unlikely to stop here, as they’ve been behind at HT in seven straight matches against City.
The Gunners’ second goal in their last match came after 19 team passes – the longest buildup after four rounds of the PL. So far, four (44.44%) of the nine PL goals that have come after 10+ passes have been scored by Arsenal. However, Arsenal has seen less than 50% of the possession in all 19 competitive H2Hs vs City since 2013.
Players to watch: Manchester City’s Phil Foden has scored his side’s second goal in both of his goalscoring matches this season (in all competitions).
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored both of Arsenal’s goals in the aforementioned FA-Cup semi, while his sole PL goal this season came away from home.
Hot stat: Man City have not witnessed a goalless first half in 14 straight PL matches across all venues, and not in 16 straight PL matches against Arsenal.
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