"Inter Milan showed that you can hurt City" - Chris Sutton predicts winner of Manchester City vs Arsenal
BBC Sport columnist Chris Sutton has predicted Manchester City to defeat Arsenal 2-1 in their top-of-the-table Premier League clash at the Etihad on Sunday, September 22. The Cityzens will be aiming to return to winning ways after being held to a 0-0 draw against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League midweek (September 18).
Manchester City have looked unstoppable this season, winning all four of their games in the Premier League and scoring 11 goals in the process. In contrast, the Gunners are second with 10 points, having drawn 1-1 against Brighton & Hove Albion last month.
Manchester City will seek to defeat the Gunners on Sunday as they work towards winning their fifth Premier League title in a row. They have the statistical advantage, having won seven out of their last nine home league games against Arsenal, drawing the other two.
Sutton provided a detailed explanation while making his prediction (via METRO):
"Arsenal got a lot of praise for the way they shut out City here for a draw last season, but they then lost the title race by two points. Of course that left them open to anyone who wanted to be 'Captain Hindsight' - like I did when I turned the result around and used it to question the Gunners."
"Yes, that criticism was harsh but we are talking about the fine margins between finishing first and second. Inter Milan showed on Wednesday that you can hurt City at the same time as keeping them quiet, and they were very brave with the way they were playing out. They surprised me actually, because they beat City's press very easily."
He added:
"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 continued:
"I was at that game and thought City were well below their best. Erling Haaland was quiet and Kevin de Bruyne might not be fit to face the Gunners after getting injured before half-time."
"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."
Sutton's Prediction: 2-1
Manchester City dealt massive blow as Kevin De Bruyne set to miss Arsenal clash due to injury: Reports
According to the Daily Mirror, Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne is set to miss their Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday. The Belgian sustained a groin injury against Inter Milan and was subbed off at half-time but reportedly won't be ruled out for an extended period.
This would be a massive blow for Manchester City. De Bruyne had featured in all six of their games this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist. Moreover, he remains one of the deadliest game-changers in the league, having garnered 103 goals and provided 171 assists in 388 appearances across competitions for City.
However, Arsenal aren't without their own injury issues. They are reportedly set to miss out on captain Martin Odegaard's services until the end of November after he suffered a serious ankle injury during the international break.