Arsenal are leading the table after 28 rounds with 64 points, Liverpool are better in terms of secondary index and Man City are exactly 1 point better. To get this position, the Gunners have had 8 consecutive wins in the Premier League.
In the most recent round, Arsenal struggled to beat Brentford 2-1 at home. In this match, Kai Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal. The German has scored in his last four Premier League appearances against Brentford, Sheffield United, Newcastle United and Burnley.
The Arsenal player who has scored in 5 consecutive Premier League matches most recently was Thierry Henry in the 1999-2000 season. In addition to Havertz, coach Arteta can also rely on the duo Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, who have created 34 chances for Arsenal this season, more than any other duo in the competition.
However, Saka left the England team early due to a hamstring injury, and his ability to play is uncertain. The same problem has also been with Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli, although goalkeeper David Raya is almost certain to return after missing the Brentford game.
On Man City's side, coach Guardiola will likely not have the service of defender Kyle Walker. Center back John Stones is also doubtful to play. However, Manuel Akanji Kevin De Bruyne has recovered and is ready to play.
De Bruyne's return will be something Arsenal do not want. Among the players playing for Man City, De Bruyne has scored the most goals against Arsenal with 8 goals.
In the 4-1 win over Arsenal last season, the Belgian midfielder scored a double. In addition, De Bruyne also had 5 assists against Arsenal. Of Man City's Premier League opponents, only Southampton, De Druyne, has been involved in more goals than Arsenal (5 goals, 10 assists).
Man City have won 12 of their last 13 Premier League games against Arsenal, except for the 1-0 defeat at the Emirates in the first leg of this season.
Arsenal have also lost all 7 of their most recent away matches against Man City. This is one of the Gunners' worst results, just a little behind Leeds United's run of eight consecutive home defeats, which lasted from 1958 to 1968
If they beat Man City on the evening of March 31, Arsenal will overcome Man City twice in the Premier League season for the first time since the 2007-2008 season.
However, after October's victory over Guardiola's army during this term, Arsenal will look to complete their first Premier League double against Manchester City since the 2007-2008 campaign.
No opponent would like to go to the Etihad because Man City have been unbeaten in their last 38 home games in all competitions (33 wins, 5 draws). The last time they lost at home was a 1-2 defeat to Brentford in November 2022.
It was the second longest home run unbeaten run in Man City's history, after a 42-game run from December 1919 to November 1921.
In addition, Guardiola's side have also scored in their last 57 home games in all competitions. Only Man United have scored more consecutive home goals than Man City, with a streak of 61 matches from September 2010 to November 2012.
