Manchester City welcomes Arsenal five months after their 0-0 stalemate at the Etihad, a match that subtly shifted the Premier League title race back in City’s favor.
Arsenal had hoped to knock Manchester City out of title contention by employing a defensive strategy during their visit to the Etihad last season. However, their attempt to frustrate City ultimately undermined their own title chances.
That goalless draw in March was poised to be a modern-day classic in the midst of an intense three-way title race. But instead of sticking to their usual attacking style, Arsenal played the occasion rather than the game, opting for a defensive approach. In that sense, their mission was accomplished.
By the end of that day, Liverpool sat two points ahead of Arsenal, and City’s confidence grew as they sensed Arsenal’s apprehension. City closed the three-point gap to overtake Arsenal and clinched the title on the final day. So, what’s in store this season?
In their first meeting of the season, Arsenal returns to the Etihad without captain Martin Odegaard and comes off a midweek Champions League trip to Italy. City, on the other hand, have had an extra day to prepare and were at home, theoretically giving them an edge in freshness.
Kevin De Bruyne remains a doubt after picking up an injury against Inter Milan, while City’s dressing room is filled with uncertainty as they turn their focus to Arsenal.
“I cannot tell you, I really don’t know how they will play,” admitted Josko Gvardiol, referencing Arsenal’s unexpected tactics from last season. “We need to prepare in two or three ways just to be sure.”
Ruben Dias shared his teammate’s view. “We’ll see what they’ll do. Whatever they decide to do, we’ll be ready. We know Arsenal is a real contender. They deserve our respect.”
While Sunday’s clash won’t definitively decide the title race — Arsenal managed to take four points from City last season but still finished behind them — it’s easy to imagine a scenario where the title could be decided by a margin as small as three points. Arsenal’s strategy will be a key storyline leading up to the game.
Will they adopt a defensive stance again and attempt to contain City like in recent encounters? After City’s dominant 4-1 victory during the 2023 title run-in, the two sides have since played to a 1-1 draw and a 0-0 draw, with Arsenal sneaking a 1-0 win in between. Notably, Arsenal’s two goals in that period came from deflected shots.
Or will Arsenal, early enough in the season, have the confidence to challenge City and try to claim all three points?
Considering their exuberant celebrations after winning last year’s Community Shield and Arteta’s declaration that the penalty shootout victory ‘gives us confidence and belief that we can beat [City]’, Arsenal appeared to regress in their belief during their last trip to the Etihad. A defeat on Sunday would leave them five points behind City just five games into the season, forcing them to decide whether to stick with their conservative approach or go on the attack.
As for City, their confidence remains unshaken.
“There’s no running away from them, hiding from them,” said Dias. “If you want to be the best, as a team and individually, in this league. We’re not hiding from anything. We want them to come, and we want to be the best.”
