Manchester City look to have a weapon that Arsenal lack which could prove decisive today

Manchester City has great variety and a wealth of options in the final third. In Erling Haaland, they have an elite finisher. With Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo on the wings, City has pace, power, dribbling, and goals from out wide. With Rayan Cherki in form, Pep Guardiola’s side has the ultimate wild card, which could prove to be decisive today at the Etihad Stadium.

Another factor is that Manchester City’s attacking players are in form. We have seen that in City’s past three games. There is proven quality up front for City, and a wealth of options on the pitch for Pep Guardiola’s side to unlock Arsenal’s defence. That could prove to be a decisive factor in today’s match.

Arsenal seemingly don’t have the weapons City have in the final third and that may force their hand tactically at the Etihad.

As much as Manchester City seemingly have a wealth of quality and in-form options in the final third, the same cannot be said for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side looks to be stuck in the mud, so to speak, up front. They have quality in their squad; there is no doubt about that. However, they have struggled to create meaningful chances in their most recent matches against Bournemouth and Sporting CP. Subsequently, it won’t be a major surprise if Arsenal set up to play on the break and dig in defensively at the Etihad today.

That is Mikel Arteta’s preferred tactical method anyhow. Arteta wants his team to defend resolutely, and that has been the pillar of their play, as has their reliance on set-pieces. However, with Bukayo Saka ruled out of today’s match due to injury, and Noni Madueke and Martin Ødegaard also in doubt, Arsenal do seem to be lacking the attacking options that City have. Due to this, it will not be a surprise to see Arteta set his side up not to be beaten, given that a draw will be a good result in the title race for Arsenal.

Final thoughts.

The Manchester City attack could be the weapon that Pep Guardiola’s side relies on to beat Arsenal today. It does figure to be a real difference between the two teams in today’s huge match at the Etihad. You do sense that if Manchester City’s attack is on its game today, Arsenal may not be capable of keeping up with City at the Etihad.