Arsenal have won just one of their last six home games in all competitions against Manchester City, and that is why Coral have made the latter slight favourites at 6/4 for victory. Three of those meetings were draws, so take odds of 12/5 for that outcome.
A surprise player in the headlines for such a big fixture is new Gunners signing Danny Welbeck, though. The 23-year-old was signed on transfer deadline day for a fee of around £16m, and comes into this game on the back of his match-winning brace for England against Switzerland in the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
The former Manchester United forward could be in line to start, especially with the absence of usual striker Olivier Giroud. Welbeck is joint-favourite in Arsenal’s anytime scorer market at 15/8, while he is 10/1 to get a double or more again and 13/2 to net first.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger could be without Wales star Aaron Ramsey, however, who injured his ankle for his country against Andorra. City, meanwhile, have a near fit side to pick from, with Pablo Zabaleta and Stevan Jovetic doubts.
Manuel Pellegrini will hoping that his side can bounce back from the shock 1-0 home defeat to Stoke City. Like any wounded animal, they’ll come fighting back, and who better to unleash on Arsenal than Sergio Aguero, who is now seemingly back to his lethal best?
The Argentine attacker has scored eight times in his last 10 Premier League away games, and got the opener against the Gunners last term in a 6-3 thriller at the Etihad. Aguero, who was on target in the recent 4-2 friendly win over Germany, has already got two goals in less than 120 minutes of club game time this term. He is 11/2 to score first, and 6/4 anytime.
Arsenal, though, can take confidence in the fact that they have not lost at home in the league since their opening game of the 2013/14 campaign against Aston Villa. They are 7/4 chances to win and continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Wenger’s men also can take heart from their 3-0 triumph over a depleted Man City in the Community Shield, and are 33/1 to record that scoreline once more. Crocked duo Ramsey and Giroud were on target that day, but can at least still call upon Santi Cazorla, who netted the opener. The Spaniard is a tempting 12/1 to get the first again, or 5/1 for a goal anytime.
Zabaleta has spoken ahead of the game, and played down the Community Shield defeat, saying: “It was the first game of the campaign and the squad were not all back from the summer or 100 per cent fit.
“We are much stronger than we were a month ago and we will continue to improve and get back into our stride as each game goes by.
“That said, Arsenal are a very good team and it is always a hard game at the Emirates.
“They have improved their squad and brought in some great players to strengthen their title bid, but we are looking to bounce back after the Stoke defeat and we will go there to win three points.”
