On Saturday evening Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
There are quite a few interesting angles to this game. Manchester City, finishing 1st, 1st and 2nd in the three most recent seasons, find themselves 5 points adrift Arsenal, finishing 6th, 5th and 8th in the aforementioned seasons. Mikel Arteta spent a couple of years as an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before being appointed head coach at his former club Arsenal. Will the Padawan finally overpower the Master?
Manchester City
The Citizens have had a somewhat troubled start to the new season, a handful of injuries and arguably the toughest schedule taking its toll.
There are still some injury concerns in the attack. Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Agüero haven't featured for some time and Raheem Sterling was forced to pull out of England duty. The latter withdrew with a minor hamstring issue and could return to action on Saturday. If not, new signing Ferran Torres has already made his mark in the League Cup and Riyad Mahrez is no stranger to playing as a striker. Or could Pep throw a surprise and give youngsters Liam Delap or Cole Palmer the nod?
Statistics
No other team created more shots and shots on target than Manchester City when playing at home last season. Only Chelsea conceded slightly fewer shots and shots on target than Manchester City when playing at home last season.
Looking specifically at home games against top half teams last season, no other team created more or conceded fewer shots on target per game than Manchester City (the Sky Blues creating on average 6.89 shots on target and conceding on average 1.50 shots on target per game).
Despite the current bottom half existence, the east Manchester club have created the second most shots per game this season and only 6 teams have conceded fewer shots than Pep's squad.
Arsenal
The Gunners have enjoyed a brilliant start to the new season, residing in 4th place with 9 points from 4 games.
Statistics
Only 4 teams created fewer shots and only 6 teams created fewer shots on target than Arsenal on the road last season. 9 conceded more shots and 10 teams conceded more shots on target than Arsenal on the road last season.
Looking specifically at away games against top 6 teams last season, only 6 teams created fewer and only one teams conceded more shots on target per game than Arsenal (the Islington outfit creating on average 2.50 shots on target and conceding on average 7.50 shots on target per game).
This time around, the London club have created the second fewest shots per game and only 9 teams have conceded more shots than Mikel's men.
Check out more Premier League stats here!
Prediction & Betting Tips
Manchester City created the most shots on target and conceded the fewest shots on target when facing top half teams at home last season.
Arsenal created below the league average of shots on target and conceded the second most shots on target when facing top 6 teams on the road last season.
For what it's worth: Manchester City have won the five most recent games against Arsenal in the Premier League 3-0 (Away), 2-0 (Away), 3-1 (Home), 3-0 (Away) and 3-0 (Home).
Betting Tip: Manchester City -1.5 (Asian Handicap).
Stake at 2.5/10 units.
Betting Tip: Total Manchester City Goals: Over 2.5.
Stake at 2.5/10 units.
