ADAM Goodwin (@agjournalism) takes a view on the Super Sunday's contest between Manchester City and Arsenal.
Manchester City v Arsenal | Sunday 5th November 2017, 14:00 | BT Sport
Both sides are unbeaten in their last five games, and despite nine points separating them in the table, it’ll be an enthralling game this Sunday.
City scored another four goals in Naples on Tuesday, as they progressed through their Champions League group with a 4-2 win over Napoli. Sergio Aguero became the club’s record goalscorer thanks to a superb finish in that game, and he’ll be hoping to add some more to that tally on Sunday.
A heavily rotated Arsenal side failed to break down Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates on Thursday, but they advanced to the last 32 because of FC Koln’s victory over BATE Borisov.
City are starting to turn the screw
Manchester City’s last Premier League game was a 3-2 win over West Brom at the Hawthorns, but it was a far more convincing performance than the result suggested. Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling were on the scoresheet, and they’re just two of the Citizen’s offensive players who have contributed to their electric start to the season.
City have scored 49 goals from 16 games this season and they’ve had eleven different goalscorers. Raheem Sterling leads the way with ten goals, closely followed by Sergio Aguero who’s on nine. Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane are on eight; defenders Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones have three; Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho have scored a couple; and Fabian Delph, David Silva and Bernardo Silva have just the one.
It shows just how much attacking quality City have across the pitch, and they’ll have no trouble scoring goals again this weekend.
Gunners rested but pack no punch
The likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have all rested on Thursday ahead of this huge clash against City. It was an awful game from a neutral’s perspective, but I fully expect the game on Sunday to be far more exciting.
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez was reportedly on the verge of joining Manchester City in the summer, but he decided to remain at Arsenal until at least January.
The Chilean hasn’t started the season as well as he would’ve hoped – just the two assists and one goal in seven Premier League games. He’ll need to perform at a higher level if he is to impress his potential future employers this weekend.
The Gunners have won just one of their five Premier League away games in the Premier League this campaign, losing three times. They were beaten by Stoke and Watford, and were absolutely thrashed 4-0 at Liverpool.
Their last four trips to top four sides have resulted in three defeats, one draw, and a total of 12 goals conceded – they’re coming up against one of the best-attacking sides in Europe.
Betting strategy
Manchester City will score goals, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. They’ve averaged just over three goals per game this season, and with Arsenal’s poor record against the top sides, it doesn’t bode well for the Gunners.
City to score three or more goals is 11/10 with BetStars, and if stats are anything to go by, this is a banker.
I’m also going to have a little flutter on Manchester City’s top goalscorer this season in the anytime goalscorer market. Raheem Sterling has ten goals already this campaign, and he’s 17/10 with bwin to add another goal to his tally this Sunday.
Best Bets
Manchester City v Arsenal – Raheem Sterling to score anytime (17/10 BWIN)
Manchester City v Arsenal – Manchester City to score three or more (11/10 BWIN)
