PREVIEW: Leaders Arsenal Face Man City in a Season-Defining Etihad Clash

Arsenal travel to the Etihad Stadium this weekend as they take on title rivals Manchester City in what feels crucial in this season’s race for the Premier League trophy.

Mikel Arteta’s side fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to the hands of Bournemouth last weekend which blew the title race wide open. Viktor Gyokeres slotted home a penalty in the first half to draw the gunners' level but ultimately it meant very little as Alex Scott fired the cherries to the win late in the second period leaving boos from the home support ringing round the Emirates Stadium.

Manchester City took full advantage of Arsenal’s slip with a scintilating 3-0 victory away to struggling Chelsea. Nico O’Reilly scored yet again to put Pep Guardiola’s side in front quickly after half time. January signing Marc Guehi channelled his inner striker ability to double City’s advantage before Jeremy Doku sealed the three points. A huge win which cut Arsenal’s lead at the top to just six points having played an extra game than City.

The gunners have failed to win at the Etihad Stadium for eleven years with their last coming in January 2015. Nacho Monreal was brought down by Vincent Kompany for a penalty which Santi Cazorla calmly dispatched to give Arsenal the lead midway through the first half. Olivier Giroud then diverted Cazorla’s free-kick with his head to double their advantage before the hour mark. Arsenal defended well to secure a memorable win in Manchester.

Since then, it’s been a nothing short of a horror story for the North London club playing at the Etihad. City have won eight and drawn the other three creating an aggregate score of 26 goals to eight over the eleven meetings. The gunners will be keen to change that right round this weekend.

It has that ‘final’ feeling about it this weekend where if either side loses, the winner will go on to inevitably lift the title. It won’t be mathematically done but that will be the narrative spread through the media. A draw is favourable to Arsenal as well. Meaning a game is cut out where City do not gain and with five games to go, Mikel Arteta’s side could only need four wins to secure the title whereas City would need to be flawless and hope Arsenal drop points.

The game kicks off on Sunday at 16:30 GMT.