Arsenal vs Manchester City: Hosts take on league leaders without manager

Topics: TV Schedules, TV Listings, Arsenal, Manchester City, English Premier League

League leaders Man City will kick off 2022 with an away clash against Arsenal, as the Cityzens look to further extend their lead over the chasing pack.

Preview: Arsenal vs Manchester City

After a bad start to the 2021/22 campaign that saw them flirting with the relegation zone, Arsenal have managed to turn things around, and the Gunners now head into 2022 sitting in fourth spot. Mikel Arteta has overseen a dramatic transformation for his side, who come into this game having won their last five games across all comps. That includes their last four in the Premier League, and their most recent game saw Arsenal cruise to a very comfortable 5-0 win over relegation-threated Norwich on Boxing Day.

Given that their December 28th game against Wolves was postponed due to a surge of the COVID-19 virus, the hosts will be a bit more rested ahead of their tough test against Manchester City. That being said, they'll have to take on the league leaders sans their manager, as Arteta has tested positive for COVID-19 and thus won't be on the tactician's bench.

In addition, Manchester City's form, which has seen them win their last 10 league matches on the trot, is something that would be of major concern for Gunners fans. Although they had to work a lot harder than expected to grind out a gritty 1-0 win over Brentford last time out, Pep Guardiola's men have a fantastic record when it comes to taking on Arsenal.

So far, the league leaders have not lost to Arsenal in six years (since December 2015), and notably humiliated the Gunners 5-0 in this same fixture last season. Overall, City have won 11 of their last 12 meetings with Arsenal across all comps, and will naturally look to extend their already formidable lead over the chasing pack with a win to kick off 2022.

Team news: Arsenal vs Manchester City

Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won't be involved here, as the Gabonese international continues to deal with the fallout following his being stripped of the captaincy. Meanwhile, the hosts will also have to make do without Sead Kolasinac due to injury, while Calum Chambers, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Cedric Soares, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are all out due to positive COVID-19 tests.

Manchester City: Kyle Walker, Rodri and John Stones all failed to appear during City's last game against Brentford due to fitness issues, so will have to be evaluated prior to this upcoming clash.

Match facts: Arsenal vs Manchester City

Manchester City have won 11 of their last 12 meetings against Arsenal in all comps
City are looking to win their 11th straight Premier League match on Saturday
Man City have won each of their last four away league games against Arsenal, by combined score of 9-0
In addition, Arsenal have lost all nine of their Premier League games against City since drawing 2-2 in April 2017
The Gunners have also failed to score in their last five Premier League games against City
However, Arsenal haven't lost at home on New Year's Day since being beaten 2-1 by Tottenham in January 1985
Since then they've gone 11 unbeaten at home (W9 D2)