1997/98
Arsenal 3–2 Manchester United
Manchester United 0–1 Arsenal
Champions
2001/02
Arsenal 3–1 Manchester United
Manchester United 0–1 Arsenal
Champions
2003/04
Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea
Chelsea 1–2 Arsenal
Champions
The proof is in the pudding. If you want to win the Premier League, you have to beat your nearest rivals.
Last season, we played Manchester City twice, we lost twice. A 12 point swing. We finished 5 points behing City in second.
It was similar in 2002/03 when we failed to beat Manchester United – losing once and drawing at home. We also finished that season 2nd, 5 points behind the champions.
Had we beat Manchester City twice last season, we would have comfortably won the league.
Another 6 points to our tally would have seen us finish on 90. 6 points less for Man City would have seen them get 83 (although they also may well have won their last two instead of got 1 point from 2 games once the title was won).
And it is not just the 3 points, it is also the momentum.
The Manchester City victory against us in in February kicked off a run that would see them gain 37 from 39 points. We did well during this time to keep ourselves a nose ahead.
In April, we would face them again 5 points clear, but with City having 2 games in hand. Victory would have seen us go 8 points clear with 5 to play. Momentum could have swung our way and those defeats to Brighton and Nottingham Forst might never have happened.
Victory over Manchester City today could see Arsenal return back to the top of the league following City’s defeat away to Wolves last weekend.
Considering our perceived slow start, to be in a position to top the table after 8 games shows that last season was not a fluke.
Manchester City go into the game without probably their two best players – Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri. John Stones and Bernardo Silva will also be missing.
This will lead to some saying “Arsenal will never have a better opportunity to beat City” and “if we do not beat City it is a failure”. But this ignores that we have our own injury headaches.
Jurrien Timber is out long term. He was signed for games like today. Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey are also both out.
It perhaps shows our increased strength in depth that despite 3 key players being out, we probably still go into the game as favourites.
Timber is repalced by the ever reliable Ben White, whilst Declan Rice as an upgrade on Partey. Leandro Trossard and Fabio Vieira were both on the bench against Bournemouth last weekend so you would expect both to be fit enough to start.
As for City, Rodri to Matheus Nunes or Kalvin Phillips is a huge drop off. Neither are in the Spanairds class.
Kevin de Bruyne’s natural replacement is Bernardo. Without the pair expect Julian Alvarez to slot into that position behind Erling Haaland. They certainly look less creative with Foden, Alvarez, Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish and Oscar Bobb.
I would not be surprised if Pep Guardiola sets up to hit Arsenal on the counter. They will leave Doku high and wide and hope that he can exploit the space in behind White.
That will force William Saliba to come across to cover, which could leave Erling Haaland occupying the greater space between Saliba and Gabriel. If Olexsandr Zinchenko then does not keep an eye on Phil Foden, he could be constantly free at the back post.
My feeling is win today and we can talk about a title challenging team. Lose and then we are probably looking at 2nd, depending on the result against Liverpool towards the end of the year.
UTA!
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
Pingback: Arsenal need to beat Manchester City to have any hope of winning the title - Mensoccer
Man City gonna soak and release. Smash and grab. Transition monsters. Whatever you wanna call it.
LikeLike