You know the score.
[scroll]Come On City!!![/scroll]
Anyone been down to the stadium today, any chance it may get called off?
3 feet of snow outside by backdoor.
Anyway, I do like to read the Beeb's Preview but I have a strange feeling it was written by an Arsenal fan today, if you're interested.
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TEAM NEWS
Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta is set to switch flanks to play at left-back, taking the place of suspended Gael Clichy in the absence of the injured Aleksandar Kolarov.
Fit-again Micah Richards returns at right-back after missing the last two games with a calf problem.
Arsenal have no fresh injury worries.
Kieran Gibbs is recovering well from his hernia problem and could feature over Christmas, while Jack Wilshere is still on course for a February return.
MATCH PREVIEW
Now that City have finally lost a Premier League game, attention turns to how long they can remain invincible at home this season. Played seven, won seven is their Etihad Stadium record, and the only 100% stat left throughout the Premier and Football League.
If they avoid defeat against the Gunners, Roberto Mancini's team will have gone a full calendar year unbeaten on home turf. Some 27 games have been played since Everton won 2-1 at City last December - with City winning an incredible 25 of them. Only Fulham and Napoli have got themselves a draw.
Daunting for the visitors then? Well, most, yes - but Arsenal won't be phased one bit. In fact, I can't think of a more difficult test for City to prove that losing at Chelsea was no more than a minor wobble. Unbeaten in eight league games, taking 22 of the 24 points on offer, Arsenal are a force unrecognisable from the timid bunch that simpered into the new season.
Robin van Persie's goals are quite rightly grabbing the headlines, but behind him there's a bit of long overdue muscle and maturity back in the Gunners ranks. Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta is a wonderful blend of styles as the midfield trio - and having 'the reducer' Emmanuel Frimpong in reserve gives Arsene Wenger an option he doesn't seem to have had for a while.
On a personal note, I'd love to see Frimpong play some part in the game - his feud with Samir Nasri still has some fuel left from the teams' Carling Cup meeting at the end of November, and there's nothing like a bit of extra spice at Christmas is there?
These are two of the most entertaining teams in the land to watch, with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and van Persie all scoring for fun... I'm tempted to say that this COULD be one of the games of the season. What a match to finish the weekend with!
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
•The past six Premier League meetings between the two clubs at Manchester City have produced 21 goals, with three wins apiece.
•City have not scored a league goal against Arsenal since a 4-2 loss at home in October 2009, when Emmanuel Adebayor scored against his old club.
•Arsenal have won 10 of the 14 Premier League matches between the two clubs in Manchester.
Manchester City
•City come into the match having conceded goals in their past eight Premier League matches in succession - their worst defensive run for more than three years (since March to August 2008).
•The club have not suffered back-to-back defeats in 67 matches (across all competitions).
•City have won one of their past three league games. Prior to that, they won seven on the bounce.
Arsenal
•Arsenal come into the match having kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets for the first time since February.
•The club are unbeaten in eight Premier League matches.
•With 15 goals, Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has equalled the highest goals record after 15 matches of a Premier League season (with Thierry Henry, Les Ferdinand and Andy Cole).
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