Arsenal vs. Manchester City: Vermaelen, Walcott Set to Ride Gunners to Win

Manchester City have been dominating play for the better part of the 2011-12 Premier League campaign, yet against an Arsenal club that has found its rhythm, the Gunners will have them beat.

It's a story of momentum in this battle between two of the league's better teams, as Arsenal have won an impressive seven of their last eight matches.Three of these seven wins have come on the road as well, as the Gunners have been playing their strongest soccer in recent weeks.

Manchester City has continued to perform inconsistently as of late, winning just one of its last four matches. The team goes into this match with two straight draws, settling for a tie with both Stoke City and Sunderland.

The problems for Manchester City have been in its ability to score goals of the road. The last time the team scored more than one goal in a road match was Nov. 5, 2011. Since then, Manchester City have failed to score in four of their 10 bouts away from Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have been as solid as they have all season in recent weeks. The team has recorded 23 goals in its last eight games, netting seven in a win over Blackburn and five in a victory over a solid Tottenham Hotspur club.

Midfield talent Theo Walcott has been leading the way for this team as of late in the goal scoring department, scoring two goals in his last five matches. On a team where the offense is largely predicated on the play of Robin van Persie, Arsenal's leading goal scorer with 26 on the season, the step-up play of Walcott could well be the difference in this contest.

Thomas Vermaelen has been especially solid for the team in the back as well, giving Arsenal a fighting chance in nearly every contest with his tough defense—not to mention Vermaelen has also chipped in five goals on the season and, like Walcott, two in his last five matches as well.

In what should be a tough battle between two of the more sound teams in the Premier League, Arsenal will get the best of Manchester City in a thriller at Emirates Stadium.