Manchester City vs. Arsenal: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
After losing ground in the Premier League title race last time out, Manchester City could be five points behind leaders Chelsea by the time they play on Sunday. In Arsenal, the reigning champions should face a pretty difficult challenge at the Etihad Stadium too.
Manuel Pellegrini's men played pretty well in their 1-1 draw against Everton but were undone by some slack defending from a set piece. There are plenty of positive factors that the team can carry into this game though, most notably the majestic form of David Silva and the return to action of Sergio Aguero.
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Arsenal lost this fixture 6-3 last season, a result which amplified their seemingly perennial problems when it comes to playing at the home of more illustrious sides. But the Gunners will come into this one in decent form, and in Alexis Sanchez they possess arguably the most in-form player in the division.
The talent on show makes this one an unmissable affair, and here's all the information you need on where to catch this titanic clash live.
Date: Sunday, Jan. 18
Time: 4 p.m. (GMT), 11 a.m. (ET)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), NBC Sports Live Extra (US)
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK), NBC Sports Sports Network (US)
Gunners Out to Avenge Etihad Humiliation
Arsenal's 6-3 loss in this fixture last season was synonymous with the long-term issues that have blighted the Gunners. While they were effervescent and creative in their forward forays, the team was completely bereft of any leadership, defensive steel and, perhaps most worryingly of all, fight.
With City in good form, it's something that must change if the Londoners are to pick up a positive result this weekend. But former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher doesn't think the Gunners have quite enough aggression to deal with the champions' array of attacking threats, per Sky Sports Football:
As noted by Carragher, Silva is a player who can really hurt teams. The Spaniard was at his deliciously insouciant best at Goodison Park, almost single-handedly orchestrating a City win, and with no obvious quality holding midfield player in the Gunners' ranks, it's likely he'll have plenty of space to work within during this one.
Squawka Football noted his influence in the final third during the weekend's clash with Everton:
The former Valencia man's abilities are enough for any team to worry about, but unfortunately for Arsenal, City also look as though they have Aguero available for selection from the start too. He's just one goal short of the league’s top scorer despite his injury hiatus, and at his very best there are few centre-forward players in world football capable of matching the City man.
As we can see here courtesy of OptaJoe, if the Argentina international could preserve his fitness for a sustained period, his goalscoring would reach stratospheric heights:
The Gunners have a world-class talent of their own, however. Since his summer move from Barcelona Sanchez has looked tailor-made for the Premier League, and City boss Pellegrini has hailed the Chilean as the finest player in the division at the moment, per AS (h/t Tom Maston of Goal.com):
"Every game I see him making a great effort, showing great commitment, ambition and the maturity needed to keep improving year after year.
I'm happy for him because, at this time, he is the best player in English football.
"
Here's how the former Barcelona man shapes up next to Aguero, per Sky Sports HQ:
With Sanchez in situ, Arsenal have a chance of getting something at the Etihad. But the open, expansive manner in which Wenger’s team plays could fall right into City’s hands. There will definitely be space for players like Samir Nasri, Silva and Aguero to operate; that trio of talent has the class to hurt any side on the planet.
It won't be quite as frantic as last season's corresponding fixture, but expect a very open game at the Etihad. Arsenal have the firepower to cause what’s been a ropey City defence problems, but the home side will have too much class for Wenger's men over the 90 minutes.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal
