Manchester City Have a Point to Prove in Arsenal Clash

Manchester City will be chomping at the bit to get back to Premier League action after a somewhat turbulent and underwhelming league campaign.

Pep Guardiola's men could perhaps have done little to topple the seemingly unbreakable strength of league leaders Liverpool, yet their decline since last season has been startling.

Their last game before the COVID-19 enforced break accentuated this decline, as City limped to a second successive defeat to inner-city rivals Manchester United.

The game itself was a dour one for the away side, with a catalogue of errors from the usually unflappable Ederson, while star forward Raheem Sterling struggled to create anything in the final third. The late Scott McTominay effort may have flattered the home side, but it epitomised City's weaknesses this term.

However, with the Premier League set to get underway once again, the arrival of former City assistant Mikel Arteta's Arsenal should be a good way for the home side to dispel any worries over the end to the season.

With the club also set to face Chelsea and Liverpool in the coming weeks, beating the Gunners is crucial if City are going to save some face in the final stretch.

Wednesday evening's fixture will see the apprentice return to face his master - Arteta versus Guardiola - with a clash that should be an attacking feast for the eyes, with both sides not exactly boasting the strongest of defences.

Both men will be eager to get off to a good start, but for Pep's side it'll more than just three points that'll be imperative - a much improved performance is also a must.

The champions have already lost seven games this season, three more than the entirety of last season's title victory, yet if City can comfortably see off Arsenal then there is a real chance that they could win-out the rest of the campaign.

After a few difficult games, the Citizens then face off against a quartet of sides all in and around the relegation zone - Brighton, Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich...or, you know, the worst teams in the league.

While coming up against sides who are scrapping for their lives will be no easy task, they are no doubt very winnable games for such a talented squad, who will be under pressure from their manager to make a statement.

Add to that fixtures against three mid-table sides in the form of Burnley, Newcastle and Southampton, and City fans should be rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of a tasty run-in.

With the club currently four points ahead of third placed Leicester - and with a game in hand - they should be able to comfortably solidify second place, albeit a long way behind the league leaders.

Although an improved run of results would do little to quell the disappointment at not achieving a third successive league title, it would go a long way in restoring some positivity at the club.

Let's face it, a hungry City side with a point to prove is a mouthwatering prospect ahead of this long-awaited climax to the season.

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Manchester City face Arsenal on Wednesday evening, so here's a preview to wet your appetite...

Source : 90min