Following a two-week lay-off due to the international break, the Premier League returns this weekend, with Manchester City welcoming Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium for one of the standout fixtures of Matchday 5.
Having picked up four points from their opening three games, Man City currently find themselves fourteenth in the table.
Meanwhile, Arsenal sit fourth – five points ahead of Man City – after managing to win three of their opening four games this term.
Man City kicked off their 2020/21 campaign with a 3-1 victory over Wolves, although Pep Guardiola’s side were quickly brought back down to earth.
Leicester crushed Man City 5-2 on Matchday 2, with Jamie Vardy scoring a hat-trick to humiliate Guardiola’s men at the Etihad.
Despite registering 23 shots at Elland Road, Man City were held to a 1-1 draw by newly-promoted Leeds last time out.
There is no denying that Man City have made an iffy start to the new season, but let’s not forget that Guardiola’s side have won 14 of their last 18 home games in all competitions.
Remarkably, they have also managed to score at least two goals in 15 of their previous 16 home games in the Premier League.
Having said that, Arsenal will be brimming with confidence having lost just one of their last nine games in all competitions.
The Gunners have made a flying start to the campaign, kicking things off with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Fulham on the opening day.
Arsenal then beat West Ham 2-1, before Liverpool ended the Gunners’ winning start to the season. However, Mikel Arteta’s men got their revenge over the Reds by knocking them out of the EFL Cup.
Last time out, goals from Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe saw Arsenal returning to winning ways in the Premier League, beating Sheffield United 2-1.
Head-to-head: Arsenal beat Man City 2-0 in the FA Cup semi-finals back in July, ending a seven-game losing streak against the Cityzens.
Guardiola’s men have claimed seven straight Premier League victories over Arsenal, scoring exactly three goals on six occasions during that period.
It is also worth mentioning that Arsenal have failed to score against Man City in five of their previous six league meetings.
Team news: Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan are close to returning for Man City, although Kevin De Bruyne may not be fit after pulling out of the Belgium squad.
Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney is self-isolating, while Calum Chambers and Gabriel Martinelli are injured. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should have overcome a slight sprained ankle to feature on Saturday.
Man City have enjoyed playing Arsenal in recent seasons, but right now, it feels like the momentum is with the Gunners.
Forebet predicts that Arsenal will end their wait for a Premier League victory over Man City by claiming all three points at the Etihad on Saturday.