If this was a Chelsea or a Manchester United team at the top of the league in Arsenal's position, we would have them as firm title favorites. Yet even with the Gunners ever impressive start to the season, many have still written off their chances.
One thing that sticks with me was a how a few years ago, Arsene Wenger said his team will blossom once they've matured. Everyone has been anxiously waiting for the last few years and they never delivered. That failed expectation may be the reason why they're not seen as title contenders, but this could possibly be the year they deliver on Wenger's promises.
The team is playing with such confidence, and even after their 2-0 loss to Napoli in midweek, where Mertesacker admitted they were 10% below their usual game, they are more then capable of getting a result at the Etihad.
On the other hand, they're playing a City team who are unbeaten at home this season. They've won every game they've played at the Etihad, so what's to stop them mauling Arsenal like they have to everyone else, notably Manchester United?
It should be interesting to see the likes of Nasri and Clichy against their former club too.
I'm not exactly confident Arsenal have enough defensively to keep out the likes of Negredo and Aguero; that is where the game will be won and lost. Arsenal will have soak up pressure for large periods of the game and hit them on the counter. It will be pivotal that Walcott plays so he gives them that counter-attacking option compared to Santi-Cazorla.
Prediction - Manchester City 2 - 1 Arsenal
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