Arsenal vs. Manchester City: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Arsenal host Manchester City in the Saturday evening kick-off at the Emirates Stadium looking for the win that would leave them only below their visitors on goal difference.
After the Gunners' 6-0 drubbing at the hands of a rampant Chelsea last weekend, and a last-minute Swansea City equaliser denied them all three points in midweek, Arsene Wenger could have well done without a game against another side to put the half-dozen past them.
In further bad news for the hosts, Manuel Pellegrini's side have lost just once in the Premier League since the beginning of November 2013, per WhoScored.com.
Date: Saturday, March 29
Time: 5:30 p.m. GMT/1:30 p.m. ET
Live Stream: SkyGO app (U.K. only), NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD (U.K.), NBC Sports Network (U.S.)
Preview
Manchester City are still in pole position to claim the Premier League crown. Put simply, if they win all of their remaining games, no one can catch them. The title will be theirs.
The last time the Citizens tasted defeat in the Premier League other than their recent game against Chelsea was against Sunderland on November 10, 2013, so it would be a brave man to bet against them.
Especially when you consider Arsenal's growing injury list.
Laurent Koscielny was the latest Gunner to end up on the treatment table and is expecting to be missing for at least a fortnight, per Dominic Fifield of The Guardian.
He joins Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and others in a squad decimated by the loss of its top stars.
Pellegrini's top scorer, Sergio Aguero, is still sidelined, but his team-mates have had no problem finding the net in his absence.
Ten goals scored and none conceded in the last three Premier League games, per WhoScored, is a sign of a team in form.
David Silva: Gold Standard
In a side replete with superstars, David Silva still shines the brightest.
An undeniable mix of guile, superlative skills and a hard-working ethic mark the Spaniard out as one of the very best exponents in the Premier League.
Eight assists and five goals, per WhoScored, is a fine return from a player any football fan would happily pay to see.
Jay Jaffa of Goal.com notes Silva's gold-standard contribution in the midweek Manchester derby win:
"[...] this was a procession and led brilliantly by the majestic David Silva.
The Spaniard was everywhere - the hook between midfield and attack and a constant menace to Manchester United. They couldn’t get near him.In fact it said more of their disorganised midfield that they couldn’t even foul Silva. Too much space, too much time.
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Arsenal have similar Spanish players in Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla, and Wenger needs to get his playmakers on the ball and dictating the play for the North Londoners to have any chance of imposing their own game upon the visitors.
Goals Galore
Edin Dzeko has certainly taken his chance to impress manager Pellegrini at Manchester City.
In the absence of out-of-form Alvaro Negredo, Dzeko has three goals and an assist in his last three games, per WhoScored.
An able header of the ball adept at winning the aerial challenges, Per Mertesacker needs to use all of his international experience to ensure that Dzeko doesn't continue his hot streak.
Arsenal's Olivier Giroud has flattered to deceive throughout this season, WhoScored detailing a patchy goal record from the Gunners' main striker.
The Frenchman has hit the net just once in his last four, per WhoScored, and may not get too much change from Vincent Kompany.
However, a labouring Martin Demichelis may offer Giroud a route to goal.
Arsenal managed three against their rivals last time so goals are not beyond them, and home advantage could be key with no defeats in their last 14 at the Emirates, per WhoScored.
