THE two teams that finished first and second over the last two Premier League seasons clash in what should be a riveting encounter at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow.
Arsenal, who stretched Manchester City on both occasions before seeing Pep Guardiola’s side win a fifth straight league crown in May, will feel they can go toe-to-toe with a side that is widely regarded as the best there is in the world.
Of course, City have their fair share of detractors, many of whom will hasten to argue that the Citizens are not the best in the world and that that mantle really belongs to Real Madrid.
Indeed, there is substance to that line of thinking. But what almost no one can dispute is that Manchester City have the greatest depth in squad than anyone around – including the Spanish giants.
The Gunners could well find that out first-hand when Mikel Arteta returns to the ground where he served so faithfully as Guardiola’s No.2 before assuming the reigns in London.
It’s been a position that Arteta has done well in, so much so that City only pipped Arsenal by a single point in May.
There is a growing number of pundits, administrators and fans who now believe that the Gunners have what it takes to win the league, which would be their first title in more than two decades.
Jack Grealish in action for Man City. — Reuters
Arsenal have certainly closed the gap on Man City in almost all areas, barring the numbers on points accumulated over the course of the season.
And Arteta will know that if they can somewhat see City in their own backyard tomorrow, it may yet set them up for a decisive run at the title – one without blemish at the end of the season.
Tomorrow, Arteta will again be without his talisman, Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian hasn’t played since sustaining an ankle injury on international duty two weeks ago and will miss the big game at the Etihad tomorrow.
But City too might also be without their midfield kingpin, Kevin De Bruyne, injured in the goalless draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League at the Etihad in midweek.
With these two missing from the line-ups, the game itself will be robbed of some of the world’s leading talents.
But there should be more than enough in reserve to still put on a show that will do justice to a game that carries the top billing.
Man City have got Rodri back, having made his first start of the season against Inter.
Jack Grealish is playing freely again, and Player of the Year Phil Foden also featured in midweek in a substitute’s role.
Foden could play a leading role in the absence of De Bruyne, and he is one player whom Guardiola holds in high regard.
Arsenal, second on the log, travel to Manchester two points adrift of Guardiola’s side.
And if there was one thing Arteta will be telling his players, it would be that they could not afford to lose ground to the champions so early in the season.
Defeat would leave them five off a side seeking to make it fifth English League title in a row.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, operating down the wings, and central defender William Saliba have sparkled for Arsenal this season.
More of the same will be expected from them, albeit on the champions’ turf.
The return from suspension of Declan Rice should also serve the visitors well.
A weak or sloppy showing in midfield could gravely fail Arsenal. With Rice back in the side, they should feel more confident.
The London derby featuring Chelsea’s trip to West Ham United is also a tie that could be loaded with tension. A red card would not be out of order in this one.
Under Italian manager Enzo Maresca, who took up the post in the off-season, Chelsea appear to be more settled than how they started last season.
They are languishing in eighth place on the table but are just three points off second spot. A win in the early kick-off today, and their belief that they can figure as genuine title pretenders this season will grow exponentially.
Maybe not as great as Arsenal’s if they were to beat Man City, but in leaps and bounds all the same.
