Gunners out to shoot down high-flying City

Manchester City will look to pick up from where they left off last season after their record-breaking romp to the Premier League title when they travel to Arsenal on Sunday. The Citizens were head and shoulders above the Gunners when the two sides met last term but could the Londoners be ready to stand up to the challenge with Unai Emery at the helm?

Arsenal/draw double chance @ 1.90

It has been all change at the Emirates Stadium on and off the pitch this summer, with the major alteration being Arsene Wenger’s 22-year reign finally being brought to an end. Former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain coach Emery is the man tasked with filling the big shoes left by the legendary Frenchman.

A new recruitment set-up behind the scenes at the Gunners has resulted in goalkeeper Bernd Leno, defenders Stephan Lichtsteiner and Sokratis Papastathopoulos, and midfield duo Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi being added to the squad. The moves have been made to add some steel and experience to a team which conceded more goals than seven of the other teams to finish in the top-10 last season.

In contrast, City have had, by their own standards, a very quiet transfer window, adding just Riyad Mahrez to their first team squad. Clearly boss Pep Guardiola felt his squad didn’t need many alterations having broken several Premier League records last season, including most points for season, most wins and most away wins, triumphing in 16 of 19 matches on the road.

Over 3.5 goals @ 2.35

They also scored a record-breaking number of goals, six of which came against Arsenal. They humbled the Gunners twice in the space of a week at one point as they ran out 3-0 winners in the Carabao Cup final before repeating that scoreline at the Emirates Stadium.

When these two sides meet, there are normally goals with over 2.5 goals landing in the last eight meetings. Over 2.5 goals is available at 1.52 but the value lies with over 3.5 if you believe that Arsenal can inflict some damage on the Citizens.

The Londoners ended last season scoring for fun at the Emirates Stadium, netting an average of 3.2 goals per game in their final 10 home matches. That was thanks, in part, to record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored 10 in 13 after completing his January switch from Borussia Dortmund.

With Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Aaron Ramsey and Henrikh Mkhitaryan having all had the summer off, and Mesut Ozil’s World Cup participation having been minimal, Emery should have a frontline capable of hitting the ground running.

Sergio Aguero first goalscorer @ 5.00

Both teams have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to going forward and City’s crown jewel is Aguero, who has taken a liking to facing Arsenal. The Argentine has scored four in his last five appearances against the Gunners and has already opened his account for the season with a brace in the Community Shield, taking him past the 200-mark for City.

Aguero looks likely to lead the line on Sunday and with Mahrez, Leroy Sane and Bernando Silva providing the ammunition, should be able to keep up his good run against Arsenal.

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