• Liverpool Host Chelsea
Manchester City versus Arsenal match has been a very one-sided rivalry in recent times, though Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, remains determined to get one over his former mentor, Pep Guardiola, today.
“We must approach the game with the same mentality and aggression that we foster in training. We know that this will be one of the most challenging games in this early part of the season, but we will have confidence and belief that we can take the three points,” Arteta said.
Kevin de Bruyne is expected to be unavailable for Manchester City after being left out of Belgium’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Phil Foden continues to recover from an ankle injury and remains absent.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is fit despite hurting his knee in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory over West Brom.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 2")
Arsenal’s 6-0 victory over West Brom in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday looks really good on paper, but the Baggies had five debutants and some were teenagers. That is something of a contrast to what City will field today.
After the international break, it will be about how Arteta fares for those following five or six games. If they are beaten heavily – 4-0 or 5-0 – then he will be under increased pressure. The Gunners have spent around £140m on new signings and the owner Stan Kroenke will be looking at the situation and will be worried.
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches against Arsenal (W9, D2).
If Arsenal lose their ninth consecutive Premier League game against Manchester City, it would set a new record for their longest top-flight losing streak against a single opponent.
The Gunners have scored just once in their last seven league matches against City – a Laurent Koscielny goal in a 3-1 defeat in February 2019.
Defeat against Arsenal would see Man City become the first reigning champions since Blackburn Rovers in 1995-96 to lose at least two of their opening three Premier League matches.
City have not lost two of their opening three league fixtures since the 2004-05 season.
Another big match today is the meeting of the Reds and the Blues at Anfield. It promises to be a fascinating battle between two genuine title contenders, with on-pitch showdowns such as Virgil van Dijk v Romelu Lukaku and Jordan Henderson v Jorginho. Yet it is the tactical battle of wits between Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel – who have been compared and contrasted so often in their careers – that will be the key element.
“We are a good football team, that’s all I know. I do not know who will be the best. But some clubs have the opportunity to join it, and we’re going to do ours to join the race for the league title,” said Klopp.
Culled from BBCSports
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