Sunday’s Premier League action sees the top two from each of the last two seasons prepare to face off once again, though this time as part of the chasing pack, with neither Arsenal nor Manchester City having hit the heights of recent years thus far in 2024/25.
A retched pre-Christmas run has left champions City a staggering 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, with the Reds still possessing a game in hand over the rest of the field. Pep’s side also discovered their UEFA Champions League fate on Friday and having failed to secure a top eight spot, they have been drawn against 15-time winners Real Madrid, providing an opportunity to reignite a newly-formed European rivalry.
In spite of a recent resurgence for City in 2025, including an emphatic victory at home against Chelsea in which new signing Omar Marmoush looked particularly bright, failing to win at the Emirates on Sunday would all but end Guardiola’s four-year stranglehold on the Premier League crown.
Embed from Getty ImagesThat’s not to say that Arteta’s Arsenal have been without problems of their own this season. The loss of Martin Ødegaard to injury for much of the first half of the campaign, and more recently the talismanic Bukayo Saka (who remains sidelined), has caused the goals to dry up for the Gunners. However, having the joint best defence in the league has helped to establish them as Liverpool’s closest challengers to this point and a statement win against the blue half of Manchester could well catapult them back into striking distance as we approach the run in.
The reverse fixture between these two back in September did not disappoint as the spoils were shared in a dramatic Etihad clash. The first blow was delivered from the blue corner by Erling Haaland as he dispatched his 100th Manchester City goal on nine minutes before Arsenal new boy Riccardo Califiori curled in expertly from the edge of the box, sparking City protests regarding the allowing of a quick free kick to be taken by referee Michael Oliver.
Arsenal centre-back Gabriel headed home a go-ahead goal in first-half stoppage time, though there was still sufficient time for Leandro Trossard to receive his marching orders for kicking the ball away after the whistle had been blown. A gutsy Arsenal rearguard held on for almost the entirety of the second period but it was a bundled effort from John Stones in the 98th minute that meant the points would be shared.
Also of major significance that day was the injury to Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, whose season-ending ACL tear has been cited by many as the main reason behind City’s dismal spell of one win in 13 outings at the back end of 2024.
While the drama of last time out cannot be guaranteed, the stakes for both are much higher now. Both Guardiola and Arteta know that another slip will only tighten Liverpool’s already firm – albeit one handed – grip on the Premier League trophy.