please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Arsenal take on Manchester City at the Emirates in this crucial premier league encounter. After poor results in the last round of league fixtures, both teams need a win. Arsenal need the win in order to keep the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle at bay in the battle for a top four place. Manchester City will need the win if they are to potentially close the gap on Manchester United in the race for the premier league title. United could potentially be eight points ahead of City by the time Mancini's men take to the field at the Emirates. Arsenal had their seven game winning run halted by Queens Park Rangers. The Gunners suffered a 2-1 defeat and it was their first loss in the league in eight games. QPR took the lead thanks to a goal from Adel Taarabt, his first in the league. Theo Walcott levelled the scores just before half time and the Gunners looked like the stronger side before Samba Diakite found the winner for QPR. Arsenal will need to respond to that defeat and there is no better way to do it then to beat one of the strongest sides in the league in Manchester City. Sunderland ended City's perfect home record in the league by securing a draw in a brilliant game. Sunderland looked like they had all three points in the bag after finding themselves 3-1 up. But City fought back to level the scores and salvage a point. But, the result only meant they fell further behind Manchester United who beat Blackburn Rovers on the following Monday. That result meant United had now opened up a five point gap over City. Arsenal and Manchester City have already faced each on two different occasions this season. City knocked Arsenal out of the Carling Cup when they faced each other in the quarter finals. A David Silva goal sealed all three points for City in the league encounter at the Ethiad. This game has plenty of things riding on it and both teams will surely be looking for the win, so everyone should be looking forward to a potential classic. Manchester City could end the season trophy less, this would have been unthinkable in the first half of the season, were they played the best football in the league and had looked like a well-oiled machine. Goals was not a problem, thanks to the likes of Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko. The three City forwards have 43 goals between them in the league. City have scored an impressive 75 goals in the league, home and away. But, since the turn of the year, they have struggle to score goals away from home especially. They have only scored three away goals in six league games this year. In those six games, they have only managed the two wins. Manchester United on the other hand, have scored 17 goals in seven league games since the turn of the year. United have won five of those games. And that is where the league could have been won for United and lost for City. In defence, City have not been as solid. Vincent Kompany missed a few games thanks to a suspension. Kompany has been one of the stand out defenders in the premier league this season and his performance against Arsenal at the Ethiad helped City keep a clean sheet against the Gunners. In goal, Joe Hart has been his usual brilliant self and has also been one of the stand out players of the season. Gael Clichy gets to face his old team for the first time after missing out on the first game through a suspension. Clichy served the Gunners for eight years and he had his stand out seasons, but he also made huge errors in his time and both parties felt it was the right time to part company. Samir Nasri will also be returning to the Emirates and his departure was harder to take for the Arsenal fans. Nasri has had his moments for City this season but he has again lacked consistency. But, he was outstanding against Chelsea a few weeks ago and in the end he scored the winner which gave City three crucial points. It could only just be a coincidence, but as David Silva's form dropped so did City's. The influential play-maker was arguably the best player in the first half of the season. A player that possess the highest technical qualities. He controlled and influenced most games with his passing. A player that would drop into the gaps and find the passes that most others can't even see. His performance against Manchester United at Old Traford was surely one of the best performances you will wish to see from a player-maker. Silva has played 35 games this season and he started nearly all of them. Fatigue could be setting in or have teams simply found a way to stop him? Roberto Mancini said that Carlos Tevez will never play for City after the Argentinean refused to come on as a sub against Bayern Munich in the Champions league. But, Mancini did not stick to his words, and Tevez is indeed back. He has yet to start a game but Tevez did come on and he provided a vital assist against Chelsea. For all his faults, Tevez is still a dangerous opponent and he could hurt Arsenal if given the chance. Arsenal's defence will be tested against City and Thomas Vermaelen will hope that his performance against QPR was a one off. The Belgian looked nervous and was at fault both the goals. His partner, Laurent Koscielny remains as consistent as ever. The French men has been a rock in defence and he has done it despite never playing in a settled defence for any long period of time. Alex Song has ten assists to his name in all competitions this season, but he will have to be at his defensive best if Arsenal are to keep a clean sheet against Manchester City. Players like Silva and Nasri do not stay on the wings and they do their best work in between the lines. Song with Arteta's help will have to limit the amount space and time they get. Arsenal have had problems with the left wing position in recent weeks. Nobody has played and made that role his own as of yet. Aaron Ramsey was the latest player to be moved to the left and he never got to grips with that position. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain has yet to start a game since the Newcastle United encounter which was nearly three weeks ago. Maybe it's time for 'the ox' to be given another chance. He gave City's rivals all sorts of problems and he was excellent against Manchester City in the Carling Cup. Robin Van Persie has not scored in three games, for any other player that would not been seen as a drought but for Van Persie it has become one. Van Persie has never gone more than three league games without scoring this season. So the Dutchmen will be looking to end his mini-drought against Manchester City. Arsenal have a five point gap over Chelsea and Newcastle United who both sit outside the top four spots. Manchester City trail United by five points in the title race. This game has a lot of things riding on it and it is the stand out fixture of the weekend. Both sides will go into the game looking to win and as we have already seen this season, when the big sides play each other, anything can happen. Team News: Arsene Wenger: Form Guide: please log in to view this image Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record: Played: 176 Wins: 89 Draws: 40 Losses: 47 For: 287 Against: 201 GD: 86 Last 6 Meetings: Manchester City 1 - 0 Arsenal Arsenal 0 - 1 Manchester City (League Cup) Arsenal 0 - 0 Manchester City Manchester City 0 - 3 Arsenal Arsenal 0 - 0 Manchester City Manchester City 3 - 0 Arsenal (League Cup) please log in to view this image Mangers Views: Arsene Wenger on having the momentum: My Team: please log in to view this image Final Score: please log in to view this image
Great fred again Jack Massive game again for us. We need to get back to winning ways after the defeat at QPR and I think the loss there will sharpen our mindset perfectly for this game. No room for the lack of urgency and determination at Loftus Rd, we need to be battling for every ball and pressing City whenever they have possession. I think it's quite a good time to be playing them, they've looked like they have been bottling it recently and if we can get off to a bright start, we should be able to control the game. Sit back and hesitate and we're going to be in for a tough afternoon though. Should be a good game - I'm going for 2-1 to the Arsenal
"City have scored an impressive 76 goals in the league and home and away." Actually they have scored 75 what a game this will be if Newcastle,Chelsea,Spurs and Us all win
Also, I hope your team selection is right. I think we need to take the game to them and Oxo is the perfect player to do so
Yes, he deserves his chance now. We have tried Rosicky,Gervinho and Ramsey on the left hand side since the Newcastle game. It's AOC turn now. Like I said in the match thread, he was brilliant against City in the Carling cup and he seems to like the big games.
I think we are unlucky to face them at this time, with the table as it is. 5 points difference with ManU at this point almost means they are on the "we've got nothing to lose" mode. Would have liked to face them when they had a better chance to win the league.
In that mode, they could leave spaces for us to take advantage of in attack. We have been brillant at the Emirates and as Spurs and Milan found out, you really do not want to be left exposed in defence against Arsenal away.
I just wonder what the mindset of the players will be? Man City will certainly have only Untd on their minds, with anything less than a win a disaster. Arsenal, on the other hand, with only faint hopes of ending the season as runners-up, are pushing to remain ahead of Spurs, Chelsea and Newcastle. On form, especially at home, Arsenal are odds on favourites, but Mancini's men may have the desire.
O right, sorry I wasn't aware I was playing this weekend. Maybe we also lost at QPR because I haven't trained all year or because I was out golfing when I was meant to be ont he pitch. Better get off and buy some new shin pads....now I know I effect the results so much
You know exactly wat we are talking about don't try t use the whole "I don't play for Arsenal argument" You said you expect a comfortable 2 or 3 goal victory vs City and I'm sure mos of us agree the City game will eb anything but comfortbale
So what. That is my opinion. They are awful away and we will be up for the game. We will turn them over mark my words. You don't agree? Fine. Say so without a smart ass comment next time.
Lok at Post #12 please Definately not a smart ass comment If anything your response to it was what caused me to relpy smart assly Again I say, it won't be an easy game but I expect us to edge out Citeh I respect your opinion however
Will be difficult but with City in the midst of a bad run of form it could be a good time to play them. They are playing badly away. We will not be as complacent as we were against QPR for sure. We are strong at home... a draw is a good bet but I hope Arsenal can force the issue and get all 3 points.
