Written by Mean Lean on Sunday, 18 December 2011 10:31

We have already experienced both ends of the spectrum this season when visiting top domestic clubs in the Premier League this season. Crushing low's at Old Trafford back in August to the wonderful high's of Stamford Bridge.

Much has changed between the two teams over the years, Manchester City were routinely turned over by Arsene Wenger's teams during the Premier League years, be that home or away. The high volume of £10 notes pumped into the northwest club has changed all that. Manchester City now have a star studded squad, put together in a short space of time and they are currently the team that everyone is trying to beat. Chelsea managed to do just that on Monday which is their first domestic defeat of the season, that along with their Champions League exit could leave a chink in their armoury. If there is one team brave enough to attempt to exploit it, then surely that team is us.

Statistically, it is a huge task. They have won 7 out of 7 at home, scoring 24 goals and conceding only 4. So according to the stats we are set to lose 3.4 - 0.5 which is an interesting score line. Luckily stats can often be a load of rubbish and I hope and pray that is the case this afternoon.

I mentioned yesterday that I would only be truly satisfied with a victory which sounds outrageous but that is because I want to see Arsenal involved in a title race. I want this new resolute and mentally strong side to be in touching distance during the Christmas fixtures. A draw or defeat does not close much ground but if Arsenal manage to pull off an away victory for the first time this season at the Etihad then the gap will be sliced to only six points.

I would be very surprised if Arsene Wenger and the players are not thinking along those lines, playing for the draw will not be on the agenda come kick off. I will be very interested to see how Mancini approaches the game given the recent defeat at Chelsea, he will be more than aware of the threat posed by Theo Walcott and Gervinho on either flank. I suspect that Vincent Kompany will be responsible for looking after Robin van Persie and our Dutchman will have to be extra sharp off the ball to gain any time and space.

I am intrigued to know if City will stop us playing first and foremost and then try and pick us off or if they will trust their ability and go head to head with us.

The midfield clash looks mouthwatering on paper. Toure, Barry and Silva cutting inside vs Song, Ramsey and Arteta. David Silva is likely to start from the left so Johan Djourou could be very important for Arsenal. It would have been preferable if Laurent Koscielny could have started at right back because if anyone can shut someone out of a game then it is him but Vermaelen being forced into left back means that Koscielny will be moved inside to partner Mertesacker once more. Which might even be a positive thing considering that Aguero is likely to start with Balotelli.

Our left and the City right could be pretty interesting also. If Samir Nasri plays then he could well play from that side while Richards is likely to return as the raiding right back. With Vermaelen at left back and also looking to get forward, it could make for some tasty clashes.

I seem to be saying this regularly but Gervinho is due a big game for us. He is always a constant threat but I guess that City will be tough to break down and the unpredictability of Gervinho could be key to unlocking their sky blue door.

I watched Chelsea vs Manchester City and I must say, I was very impressed with Manchester City's passing game, it has taken us a long time to hone our pass and move game so I am intrigued to know which team dictates possession the best over the 90 minutes. We will certainly not be shy of enforcing our game on them and that makes for a mouthwatering game of football between two talented attacking teams.

It is our chance to show the world how good we are, time for the boys in red and white to stand up and be counted. It is safe to say that Szczesny, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta and van Persie will fight for the shirt, it is up to the those around them to also win their duels.

I am already nervous, nervous for the team. A victory at Man City would give the team so much belief, so much confidence at such a crucial time. I hope we can do ourselves justice and take our chances when they come.

Let us prove the doubters wrong. COYG.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

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Comments (14)

• 18-Dec-2011 12:08 | | Sadick  - Soccer
  

  Arsenal will win

• 18-Dec-2011 12:11 | | Taku
  

  very big one. I suspect Walcott will be our key man today, cutting in between Barry and Kolarov.

• 18-Dec-2011 12:11 | | Taku
  

  very big one. I suspect Walcott will be our key man today, cutting in between Barry and Kolarov.

• 18-Dec-2011 12:13 | | Anonymous  - arsenal all the way
  

  arsenal,all the way!v persie will score brace today

• 18-Dec-2011 12:38 | | Micheal  - Gooner
  

  What a very tough match.

• 18-Dec-2011 13:00 | | Vin  - Arsenal Win
  

  Midfield battle will be the most interesting and the one which decides the scoreline. If Song can keep the free-moving Silva quiet, Man City CAN be stopped. Another interesting battle will be between one of the best centre backs in the league vs THE BEST striker in the league, possibly the world (I dont count Messi and Ronaldo) as strikers/centre forwards.
  
  Arsenal to win 3-1 RVP brace and Gervinho to open scoring. City will push forward hard and Walcott will rip them open on the counter setting up 2 RVP goals

• 18-Dec-2011 13:56 | | Loveday
  

  A must win for Arsene Wenger side. Two straight defeats for Roberto Mancini's side.

• 18-Dec-2011 14:09 | | Anonymous
  

  Arsenal win to 2-1

• 18-Dec-2011 14:22 | | Chika osigwe  - St peter s cahtolic church umuagwu ejemekwuru
  

  Mancity 1 arsenal 3

• 18-Dec-2011 15:03 | | Alex
  

  Definetly DJOURU WILL BE TORMENTED BY SILVA .
  HE IS ALWAYS THE WEAKEST POINT.i DONT KNOW WHAT IS HE DOING AT ARSENAL.

• 18-Dec-2011 18:14 | | Andy  - andy@yahoo.com
  

  We need to buy at least 3 more players in January. Let's just pray that we don't meet Barca again in the Champions League

• 18-Dec-2011 18:21 | | MeanLean
  

  Haha, that's not knee-jerk at all right?
  
  Forget Wilshere, Sagna, Santos, Diaby, Jenks, Gibbs etc etc. we need eight new players and let's worry daily about Barcelona even though we have the Milan game.
  
  Sorry pal, I've lost you.

• 18-Dec-2011 18:53 | | Andy
  

  Not at all.
  
  Injuries? That's a never ending story.
  
  Daily I worry about Spurs being ahead of us.
  
  Come On You Gunners

• 18-Dec-2011 20:01 | | richie
  

  Certainly not the same old Arsenal, even though we we lost, to an unfortunate goal we could just have easily won. I'll hold my hands up and say on ballance Money Bags City deserved the win, but it wasn't an emphatic victory, it was marginal. They were marginally the better side. The "same old Arsenal" chant could only be held up to us concerning our finishing, we created the chances to score but once again our finishing was anything but clinical.
  
  For sure the defeat is a set back but we really shouldn't be too down hearted, they scored a goal born out of yet another injury to yet another stand in full back. As Djourou came off and our clutch of centre backs were reorganizing themselves, way too much space was left unoccupied where Djourou had been, which left Balotelli an acre to run into and fire off a shot, which unfortunately Chezza couldn't hold on to, the rest they say is history. From such small margins games of this magnitude are won and lost.

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