The Build Up to Arsenal's Sunday Trip to Man City Begins

Arsenal had a great 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night. However, it didn't get as many headlines as it deserved, due to the goings on at "Manure". It's amazing how their fans now feel about Wayne Rooney, considering that he was recently their idol. In my opinion, he hasn't played well since he injured his ankle last March and that is partly mental, as well as physical. Whatever the reason, it has left their club in turmoil and, with Liverpool in the relegation zone, I wonder are we seeing the break-up of the traditional top four.

Of course the other two teams in that traditional top four are Arsenal and Chelsea. Arsenal find itself in a very sound financial position at the moment, as opposed to Chelsea, who are barely keeping their heads above water, thanks to the backing they get from their owner. It's no surprise that "Manure" and Liverpool are having footballing troubles since their financial situations leave a lot to be desired. 

The two teams who will be looking to step up and stake a claim for a permanent top four place, are Man City and The Spuds. Both teams have started their league campaigns in a positive fashion. Man City currently sits in second place, while The Spuds are in fifth. However, each has tough matches this weekend in the quest to maintain their challenge. After losing 4-3 to Inter Milan in the Champions League last night, The Spuds have to play the early game on Saturday against an Everton team, that has its form after a slow start to the season.

City hosts Arsenal on Sunday afternoon and they know they can put some real daylight between themselves and Arsenal, if they can win that game. First, they have to play Lech Poznan at home in the Europa League tonight and, despite having a large talented squad, it won't be easy for them to then play an Arsenal team, who have had two extra days of rest. With the players at their disposal and the fact that they are at home, City is probably the favorite for that game, but it will be dangerous for them to underestimate Arsenal.

If the stats on physioroom.com are to be believed, then both Bakari Sagna and Robin Van Persie will return from injury for that game, but I highly doubt it. Sagna may return within a week, but I can't see RVP returning until a week or two into November, at the earliest. Even then, it will take a while for him to contribute to the team. However, the most important player for Arsenal to have on the pitch on Sunday is Cesc Fabregas and, after he got an hour of football under his belt in his comeback last night, I'm hoping he will be raring to go.

Arsenal lost 4-2 away to City last season, in a game where they gave away cheap goals and also hit the woodwork a few times themselves. The big talking point in that game was the reaction of "he who shall remain nameless", when he scored his goal against Arsenal. It remains to be seen whether he can get into City's team on Sunday, but if he does, I wonder if we will be treated to some more of his thuggish behaviour on the pitch or, if the worst happens, another controversial goal celebration. One thing we can be sure of is that the Arsenal fans will give him a very hard time, as they know that he was energized the last time they did it.

I will be doing my usual pre-match analysis and prediction on Sunday, but regular readers will know that I always predict a win for Arsenal, no matter who the opposition is, what the competition is or where they are playing.  As an Arsenal fan, I can't consider any other result and I firmly believe they are good enough to beat any team when they have their full squad available and they play at their very best.

Arsenal beat a very well regarded Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 on Tuesday night, at home in the Champions league. In their previous home game, in that competition, they beat Braga 6-0. Arsenal is getting plenty of plaudits for those results, but the managers of the two teams they thrashed seem to think that it was due to their shortcomings on the nights in question, rather than brilliance from Arsenal. Arsenal sits proudly on top of their group, with full points from three games and 14 goals scored in the process, which is more than they could have hoped for at this stage. However, the trip to face Shakhtar in a couple of weeks will be their hardest game in the group and, if they can avoid defeat that night, then I'm sure they will top the group. That's the lot for today.

See you tomorrow.