Probably the most important game for Arsenal where they host Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City, with aim to keep fading title hopes alive..
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Watch Match Highlights – Full Match Replay– Available after the game end
Just a month ago, Arsenal had it all, they were in the Champions league, and they were on the top of Premier league. Almost a month later, Arsene Wenger’s men now are looking to save the season with a so needed win over Manchester City. Only two wins in 6 games this month have eliminated Gunners from Champions league by Bayern Munich and has moved Gunners to fourth with 61 points, a place which leads to Champions league qualifications. That one problem doesn’t come alone, the fifth placed, Everton is closing in, and Gunners could play Europa league next season.
Visitors from Manchester City have 2 games less and three points more, while Everton on the fifth has 3 points less but also a one game less.With a defeat to Manchester City, Arsenal season could be really shaken up, and in one word – unsuccessful.
Constant players injuries, especially in the midfield have forced Wenger to experiment last month, and this was practically the biggest reason for recent bad results. After 1-0 win over Tottenham, one of the worst defeats, Gunners suffered in the match where Wenger was celebrating 1000th game on Arsenal bench. To be more specific, it was two round ago, at the Stamford Bridge. Chelsea smashed 6 to Gunners. Last round seems to be an ideal game for Wenger’s men to bounce back, but Swansea showed up to be a hard nut to break. Arsenal was behind and manage to come back with 2 minute salvo, but Flamini in the late 90′ scored an own goal, when Gooners started to celebrate their team victory.
All this has brough Arsenal to this game , which could easily be the most important game for them , since they were already eliminated from all other competitions. Still, Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger remains optimistic.
It’s all to go for I think, for everybody,” the Frenchman told the club’s official website.
“Everybody speaks about Everton coming back on us [and challenging for fourth place]. Why should we then not come back on the teams who are in front of us?
“There’s still a lot of turning games that will happen until the end of the season. But it’s down to the quality of our performances.
“We don’t think about the title race now, we think about winning again. So for us just to recover in a positive way against Swansea was very important.
“Now from that game, be positive again and win the next one.”
Man City match of massive importance – Wenger
Arsene Wenger refuses to rule his Arsenal side out of the title race as they prepare to take on Manchester City on Saturday.
Manchester United is doing just fine at least in the Premier league competition. They were eliminated by Barcelona from Champions league, and suffered a blunder at home in the FA Cup to Wigan City which sees them off from that competition. Still, Premier league tittle hunt for them is still alive, as they sit on third place having 66th points, just one less than the second placed Liverpool FC and two less than the league toppers, Chelsea FC.
Citizens also have 2 games less than both of them, which puts them in the good situation, where practically title dream depends on them. While they can avoid a slip against Arsenal, a win would eliminate Arsenal from the race, and put more pressure on the Reds and the Blues.
In their last encounter this season at Etihad, Citizens have smashed Gunners with 6-3 , result which gives them high hopes ahead of the “re-match” for which they can’t count on return of Sergio Aguero. The Middle-week 3-0 win over Manchester United, have boosted up team morale, but Pellegrini “plays down a ball” saying that this match wont decide anything.
“Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini refuses to rule out Arsenal’s title hopes as his side make the trip to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.”
‘Arsenal still have a chance for the title’, says Pellegrini
Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini refuses to rule out Arsenal’s title hopes as his side make the trip to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Team probable lineups
Arsenal : Szczesny – Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs – Flamini, Arteta – Rosicky, Cazorla, Podolski – Giroud
Man City : Hart – Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy –Fernandinho, Yaya Toure – Navas, Silva, Nasri – Džeko
Teams press conference
Arsene Wenger pre Arsenal vs Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini pre Arsenal vs Manchester City