MANCHESTER City continue to display the defensive deficiencies that dented their title challenge last season and they will be desperate to rediscover their mojo when they meet Arsenal at the Etihad on Saturday evening.
Pep Guardiola's wounded stars were clearly stung by their shortcomings last term and they can ill-afford any further early-season slip-ups as they bid to wrestle their crown back from Liverpool.
City suffered a brutal reality check when being thumped 5-2 at home to Leicester before playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road last time out – with both of my recommended bets landing.
Standing in the Citizens' way this weekend is an Arsenal outfit who have made notable progress under the stewardship of Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard tactically outwitted mentor Pep Guardiola during last season's FA Cup semi-final and the Gunners subsequently went on to lift the trophy for a record-breaking 14th time.
The capital club have since collected nine points from a possible 12 thus far and that return coupled with some shrewd Summer signings has generated a real sense of optimism at the Emirates.
Outright Betting
Man City have won seven of their last eight meetings with Arsenal and a home win on Saturday is odds-on at 2/5 with Bet 365.
Arsenal are without a win in 29 away games against the “traditional top-six” and the bookies fully expect that sequence to continue this weekend with an away win priced up at 13/2 with BetVictor, while the draw is also deemed unlikely at 17/4 with Bet 365.
Betting Angles
Man City's shaky start to the season can be attributed to their leaky backline – the Citizens have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their opening three assignments of the season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, despite their upward progression, have displayed defensive frailties themselves this season having failed to register a shutout across each of their last three top-flight tussles.
Consequently, both teams to score in this showdown is widely available at what looks like a skinny 1/2, however, I'm going to make use of Bet 365's Bet Builder to boost the price up to 4/5 by adding over zero Arsenal cards.
The above-mentioned Bet Builder landed for me during the Gunners recent defeat at Anfield and I'm more than happy to revisit that betting angle at the Etihad on Saturday evening.
Whether or not both teams oblige remains to be seen and rather than hanging my hat on both teams making the net bulge, I'm going to opt for another Bet Builder with the view to backing goals and cards.
The alternative angle that I like the look of is over one match goal, Man City over zero cards and Arsenal to collect over one card, all of which combined will give us an eye-catching even-money shot with Bet 365.
City's last seven league games on home turf have featured three or more goals and each of Arsenal's last five league matches have generated three or more strikes.
What's more, there is plenty of potential for cynical fouls in this clash and that coupled with the fact that Arsenal were the joint-first ill-disciplined side in the division last term has me attracted to the above-mentioned Bet Builder.
This English Premier League match between Man City and Arsenal will be played on Oct 17, 2020 and kick off at 17:30. Check below for our tipsters best Man City vs Arsenal prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
