FORM GUIDE
Arsenal
18 Apr (Premier League) v Wigan (A) LOST 2-3
14 Apr (Premier League) v Tottenham (A) LOST 1-2
06 Apr (Champions League) v Barcelona (A) LOST 1-4
03 Apr (Premier League) v Wolves (H) WON 1-0
31 Mar (Champions League) v Barcelona (H) DREW 2-2
27 Mar (Premier League) v Birmingham (A) DREW 1-1
Manchester City
17 Apr (Premier League) v Man Utd (H) LOST 0-1
11 Apr (Premier League) v Birmingham (H) WON 5-1
03 Apr (Premier League) v Burnley (A) WON 6-1
29 Mar (Premier League) v Wigan (H) WON 3-0
24 Mar (Premier League) v Everton (H) LOST 0-2
21 Mar (Premier League) v Fulham (A) WON 2-1
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal
The Gunners' injury woes show few signs of easing, although Alex
Song could return if he passes a late fitness test on a cartilage
problem in his knee which has kept him out of the last three games
- all of which Arsenal have lost. If the holding midfielder is fit,
he could find himself deployed in central defense alongside Sol
Campbell, as both Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas are out for
the rest of the season with calf injuries.
Manuel Almunia is unlikely to have recovered from a wrist injury,
which means Lukasz Fabianski could have another chance to prove
that he's not an even bigger liability between the sticks than the
Spaniard; goalkeeper is certainly one position Arsenal fans will be
expecting Arsene Wenger to address in the summer transfer
market.
Wenger could also give Robin van Persie his first start since
November, which might go some way towards rectifying the baffling
decision to keep the outstanding Dutch striker on the bench until
it was much too late against Wigan last week.
Andrey Arshavin has spoken optimistically of recovering from a calf
problem in time to face City, but the Russian must be considered
doubtful. Meanwhile captain Cesc Fabregas, Aaron Ramsey, Denilson,
Johan Djourou and Kieran Gibbs are all ruled out.
Last starting XI (v Wigan): Fabianski, Sagna, Campbell,
Silvestre, Clichy, Walcott, Eastmond , Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky,
Bendtner.
Manchester City
Mancini should have Micah Richards available again after a knee
injury, the England defender having missed City's last four Premier
League games, although Nedum Onuoha is likely to retain his place
at right-back.
There could be three ex-Gunners in City's starting XI: revered
former captain Patrick Vieira, who can expect a warm welcome if he
plays against Arsenal for the first time since leaving for Italy in
2005; central defender and City captain Kolo Toure, who should also
get a friendly reception; and striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who is no
doubt braced for hostility from the home fans.
Vieira could start instead of Gareth Barry or Nigel de Jong if
Mancini seeks to rotate his central midfielders.
Another former Arsenal player, Brazilian left-back Sylvinho, is
doubtful with a calf problem but would probably miss out anyway
following the impressive return of Wayne Bridge after injury.
Michael Johnson, Martin Petrov (both knee) and Joleon Lescott
(hamstring) are all ruled out.
Last starting XI (v Man Utd): Given, Onuoha, Kompany, Toure,
Bridge, Adam Johnson, De Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Tevez,
Adebayor.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has rapidly been running out of players at a crucial
phase of the season, and it has cost him and the team dearly. The
one bright spot has been the return to fitness of Robin van
Persie, whose Arsenal career has been blighted by injury
but who, when fit, is a class above the other strikers at the club
- and most others in the Premier League.
The Dutchman - whose five-month lay-off with ruptured ankle
ligaments sustained in a friendly international for Holland against
Italy - demonstrated in a 22-minute cameo from the bench against
Spurs recently just what a difference he might have made to
Arsenal's season if he'd remained injury-free.
Van Persie, who joined the Gunners from Feyenoord in 2004, has
scored 71 goals for the club in 137 first-team appearances (plus 57
as a substitute) and is the leading marksman among the players
currently at the Emirates. Last season he scored a career-best 20
goals and provided a league-leading 11 assists, and in the current,
injury-interrupted campaign, he has scored eight and contributed
eight assists.
Manchester City
Emmanuel Adebayor stole the headlines in the
reverse fixture earlier this season when, taunted by the traveling
Arsenal fans who perceived him as a mercenary individual in the
wake of his acrimonious departure from the Emirates, the former
Togo international celebrated scoring against his ex-employers by
running the length of the pitch to slide on his knees in triumph in
front of the incensed Gooners.
Adebayor also landed in hot water for kicking Robin van Persie in
the face as the Dutchman lay on the ground, the Arsenal striker
claiming it was deliberate. The African incurred a three-match
suspension for that action. Kolo Toure and Mancini have both urged
him to show greater restraint on Saturday and focus on helping City
claim the three points.
Adebayor scored his last league goals for Arsenal in this fixture
last season, and in fact has scored five goals in the last four
Premier League meetings between the two sides - four for Arsenal
and one for City. He has returned to form lately, scoring four
goals in his last three games, and is City's second top scorer with
13 goals (all in the league), behind Carlos Tevez who has struck 28
(22 league).
PREDICTION
Arsenal have won their last five League matches at the Emirates,
and it is a little over three years since they last lost three
consecutive Premier League games. Meanwhile Manchester City have
not lost two consecutive Premier League games all season, so
something may have to give.
City are also unbeaten in their last five away games and have won
the last two, thrashing Burnley 6-1 at Turf Moor in the most
recent. There is a great deal riding on the outcome on Saturday,
from points to pride to position to prospects in Europe next
season. Expect the high stakes to be matched by high tension - and
a few goals.
Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City
