Preview: Manchester City vs Arsenal

   Hello folks! The big match for which we are eagerly waiting for is upon us. This time with an opportunity to stamp our authority and present the almost lost case for the elusive league title. A win will keep our slim or perhaps slimmest hopes alive and taking us to one place up on 5th in the standings (or 4th with a 4+ goal win) whereas a loss will kill everything like an atomic drop and will send us back in the gloom of last season traumas. On our last visit at the Etihad, we were beaten 6-3. However it was a closely fought encounter for the better part of the match than the scoreline suggests. Since then, we have played them thrice, winning 3-0 in Community Shield at Wembley and drawing twice 1-1 & 2-2 in premier league at Emirates over a course of two season.
   Story this time around is different, as we are more prepared and well rested with a win and seven day gap unlike last visit when we played them on an early Saturday kickoff schedule after an evening match on Wednesday at Napoli (losing 0-2). We also have a team in great spirits that's playing good flowing football which is perhaps the best experienced this season. Plus, we have Sanchez in form of his life who has been ably supported by the team boasting of in form Cazorla and Rosicky along with stabilized defense riding on the confidence of back to back Clean sheets. Though we are short of a few first choice players, but its not a big headache as we have it covered with players capable of performing on the occasion.
   On the other hand, we have a team who has went many weeks without knowing how the taste of defeat is! But just like us, they are also short of their few first choice players namely Samir Nasri, the man living with an image of cult figure among the gooners and suffering through injury, their new signing Wilfried Bony, who is unavailable due to call of national duty along with their midfield mainstay Yaya Toure. Their absence gives a sigh of relief but they are still dangerous with available of in form players like Agüero, Silva and Kompany. Sitting 2nd in championship table, the sky blues are 5 points behind Chelsea as of now after Saturday kickoff results.
   Summing it up, we have an entertaining game on cards of two teams with attacking football philosophy. So it will not be disappointing to expect goals from both the sides. My optimistic prediction is of a 2-2 draw which on being over optimistic, makes me to believe in a 3-2 Arsenal victory. But as a realist, Manchester City victory is most likely besides a score draw. However the most bizzare but yet possible outcome is a 0-0 stalemate, which no one will bet on  considering the form of both the teams.
   And regarding playing XI, I expect Bellerin to deputise at RB in absence of unfortunate Debuchy and perhaps Ramsey may come in place of Coquelin which I am uncertain of.
  Last words! Let's enjoy the game on tube tomorrow.
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