It is obvious that the winners of this Sunday`s clash between two of the three front runners of the Premier League will design the image of the champions this season. A win for the gunners will take the 4 points clear of the defending champions and give them an unprecedented life wire to hold on till the end. The reverse result will hand City the Pole position which could be difficult to take back with just 9 play days to go. City has been on a recent run of 20 wins in 22 games across the board, though critics have been skeptical over their below par show when scaled with their show of strength, pace, mastery and goal scoring spree last season. With Erling Haaland visibly low in inspiration this season, Manchester City seems to be asleep infront of the goal. Not even the presence of talisman Kevin DeBryne made considerable difference with the playmaker struggling for form since returning from a hamstring injury. With Jack Grealish and Bernado Silver far from their trebble-winning shape last season, the weight was shifted to the fragile but maturing shoulders of Fil Foden and the maestra of Rodri – probably the globe`s best in midfield.
With a complete Arsenal team keeping the trophy in vision, the game is set to be the most watched on the planet this weekend. Mikel Arteta`s boys have shown resilience this season, working a tight rope to stand out as the most prolific this far, with the least goals conceeded. After securing a 1/4 final ticket in the UCL, their next target is at least a draw at the Ettihad, why not a win to draw them closer to a 14th league title.
By Simon Lyonga