“I am expecting a reaction” - Chris Sutton predicts winner of Manchester City vs Arsenal
The highly anticipated Premier League showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal is set to capture headlines on Sunday, September 22. Although it’s still early in the season, the significance of this fixture means both teams will be eager to secure all three points. BBC pundit Chris Sutton has predicted a closely contested clash, as expected.
Pep Guardiola’s side have begun the season perfectly, winning all of their opening four games. Arsenal, meanwhile, are just two points behind after being held to a draw by Brighton & Hove Albion.
Both teams arrive in this match after goalless draws against Italian opponents - Manchester City against Inter Milan and Arsenal against Atalanta. As a result, both managers will be looking for a strong response to their midweek Champions League setbacks.
Arsenal’s defense has been a standout, with the Gunners conceding just one goal in five games this season. Opponents have struggled to break through their backline, which has contributed significantly to Arsenal’s early success.
Chris Sutton believes this defensive solidity will be their biggest strength at the Etihad Stadium, while also highlighting their potential to pose a threat on the break.
“I don’t like to back against Arsenal because, defensively, they are so strong. They have also won all but one of their 11 away Premier League games in 2024 – the exception being that draw at the Etihad in March – and have kept nine clean sheets. That is incredible and, if they wanted to, they could cause City problems on the counter-attack too, the same way Inter did," he said (via TBR Football).
However, Sutton also noted that Guardiola will certainly want to get a reaction from his players, especially after their underwhelming performance against Inter. He predicted that the Premier League champions will ultimately secure a 2-1 victory.
“Still, it is almost two years since City failed to score in two successive games – October 2022, when they drew 0-0 in Copenhagen in the Champions League and then lost at Anfield in the Premier League. I am expecting a reaction, and I don’t think they will be as flat as they were on Wednesday," he added.
These teams last faced off in March, a match that ended in a goalless draw. The odds slightly favor Manchester City this time, as the Gunners haven’t won at the Etihad in nine years, while City remain unbeaten at home for the past two years.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expects another tough challenge from Arsenal
Arsenal earned four points against Manchester City last season, their best return since the 2015-16 campaign. The contests between these two teams, particularly in the past two years, have been closely fought, and Guardiola anticipates another challenging match this week.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, the Spanish manager praised Arsenal’s progress over the years but emphasized that the result will not be decisive in the Premier League title race.
"It’s always been a tight game, in the past few years. I think we are a good team but they’re good too. They do many good things in all aspects – in high pressing, in defending deep, in transition. They’re a complete team [and] that’s why they’ve been our biggest rivals in the last two seasons. In terms of the table, it’s not really important," he said (via BBC).
Regarding injury updates, Kevin De Bruyne is a major doubt for the match after hobbling off against Inter, while both Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino have been ruled out for Arsenal.