The two sides battling at the top of the Premier League will face off on Friday evening in the FA Cup fourth round at the Eithad Stadium.
The most successful side in the competition’s history, Arsenal, make the trip to Manchester to face Pep Guardiola’s side, who most recently won the competition in 2019 when they comfortably beat Watford 6-0 at Wembley Stadium to lift the trophy.
The Gunners are yet to face the Premier League champions in league proceedings this season, which makes Friday evening’s fixture even more intriguing ahead of future battles.
In what is set up to be an exhilarating match up, make the tie even more exciting at Bet9ja where you can make bets on more than 200 different markets.
Here we take a greater look at the FA Cup Fourth Round tie between Man City and Arsenal.
Manchester City v Arsenal
Friday 27th January 21:00
Eithad Stadium
Arsenal seemed to have shocked the majority this season in the Premier League, with the main question laying at whether they can keep their momentum going, to fight off the consistent Man City, who have been the champions of England four out of the last five seasons.
Man City saw off Chelsea with ease in the previous round of England’s most prestigious domestic cup competition when they beat the Blues 4-0 at home. This was thanks to goals from Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, and a Riyad Mahrez brace, but it is expected that Arteta’s side will prove a greater test for Kevin De Bruyne and company.
Erling Haaland has been the main talking point this season for Manchester City, after he has netted an emphatic 25 times in the league and 31 in total. The Norwegian international was an unused substitute in the previous round of the FA Cup, with Alvarez leading the line, so it will be interesting to see whether Guardiola will opt to start arguably the signing of the summer in this clash.
Arsenal have added Leandro Trossard to their ranks in this January transfer window, and the Belgian star made his debut for the Gunners on Sunday when he came off the bench to help his side triumph Manchester United in a 3-2 victory. The former Brighton & Hove Albion man may well feel like this is a game where he could make his full debut, and potentially impress Arteta as we enter the second half of the season.
With the current Arsenal boss being the former assistant to Guardiola, whenever this fixture comes around there is always that added edge for Arteta, however with the league potentially at the forefront of the 40-year-old’s mind, there may be a change of personnel to his side. This might help keep things fresh and give those whom may not have seen regular minutes in the league a chance to prove to him what they can offer.
For Manchester City, there is no hiding that they have strength in-depth in all areas of the field, with Guardiola opting to drop Bernardo Silva, Foden and De Bruyne to the bench against Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday, but still being able to come out 4-2 winners. So, Arteta will know that whatever side is picked tomorrow evening, it will be a test for his in-form side.
The Gunners have faced a tough period of fixtures since the turn of the year, but have still managed to pick up seven points from a possible nine in the Premier League, against Newcastle United, arch rivals Tottenham, and Man Utd, meaning they come into this cup tie as ready as they have ever been to face the dominant Man City.
With Gabriel Jesus having a lengthy period on the sidelines due to injury, Eddie Nketiah has been given his chance in the side and has taken the opportunity in his stride. After he netted twice against Manchester United in their recent fixture, and due to the lack of options current at that end of the pitch for Arsenal, he is fully expected to start on Friday.
In terms of recent head-to-head form between the sides, City have come out on top against the North London side in their last five meetings, with Arsenal’s most recent victory coming in 2020, in the FA Cup.
Both sides enter this fixture in inspiring goal scoring form, with the Gunners netting five times in their last two games and City going two better with seven in their last two outings.
You can get odds of 1.58 for over 2.5 goals in the tie, and for there to be five goals in match, the odds are 7.20, at Bet9ja. We fancy a close affair, and you can get odds at 5.30, for a 2-2, 2-3, 3-2 or 3-3. With both sides opposing such an attacking threat this season, why not have a bet at a goal to be scored in the first 10 minutes at 3.85.
Bet9ja odds (at time of writing): Manchester City win: 1.80, Arsenal win: 4.15, Draw 4.10.
Bet on Manchester City vs Arsenal
READ: Victor Ikpeba’s exclusive FA Cup fourth round predictions
