Up next for Manchester City is a huge top-of-the-table Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side has a week to prepare for the match, while Arsenal have a second-leg Champions League quarter-final tie against Sporting CP on Wednesday night on the horizon. That could be perceived as an advantage for City heading into Sunday’s match. However, that isn’t where City seem to have a clear advantage over Arsenal. It does seem that Pep Guardiola’s side is clicking into gear at the right time, and Mikel Arteta’s side is struggling with the weight of the world on their shoulders as the Premier League title race heats up. That stood out last weekend, and may be an important element in Sunday’s huge match at the Etihad.
The contrast in form between Manchester City and Arsenal does stand out.
Last weekend did feel like a big weekend in the Premier League title race. Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth, and their performance did give the impression that they are a team struggling with the weight of the world on their back. Mikel Arteta’s side have finished second in the Premier League over the last three seasons, and they do give the impression that they are a team that doesn’t know how to close the deal in a Premier League title race. Their second half display against Bournemouth was a nervy one. Ultimately they lacked the quality in the final third, and in their overall play to break open Bournemouth. Arsenal’s performance is in direct contrast to Manchester City’s against Chelsea.
Advertisement
Manchester City, like Arsenal against Bournemouth, entered halftime of their match against Chelsea level at halftime. Unlike Mikel Arteta’s side, City went up a gear and blew Chelsea away in the second half at Stamford Bridge. They left London with a 3-0 win, and City didn’t look like a team with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Pep Guardiola’s side are in form and seem to have embraced the challenge of chasing Arsenal down in the title race. It would seem that City are clicking into gear, and ready for the challenge ahead. Arsenal look to be a team bogged down by the burden of their recent history. That is an interesting layer heading into Sunday’s match that could separate the two teams.
Pep Guardiola’s side has the experience to know what is required from here and Arsenal do not.
The leaders in this Manchester City squad have been down this road before. Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, and even Gianluigi Donnarumma know what it takes to close the deal in a title race, as does Pep Guardiola. That knowledge gives City a security blanket of sorts that Arsenal do not have. This element could be crucial in the title race. It also could be a deciding factor in Sunday’s match. It does seem that this factor is at hand now. Arsenal seem to be wilting; City seem to be charging. It is an interesting subplot, if nothing else, that could shape Sunday’s top-of-the-table Premier League clash at the Etihad.
Manchester City look to be clicking into gear at precisely the right time. Arsenal, on the other hand, seem to be struggling with the pressure of the Premier League title race. It would seem that City have an advantage over Arsenal heading into Sunday’s match. City look confident and seem like they are embracing being in a title race. Mikel Arteta’s side look to be struggling at the wrong time of the season. That seems to be a major advantage that City have over Arsenal, and it will be interesting to see if that plays a part in Sunday’s match at the Etihad.
Read the full article here