It’s not often you will see two Premier League powers face off in back-to-back games but that’s the case for Arsenal and Manchester City on Thursday in a rematch of an English Carabao Cup Final won by Man City just a few days prior. Manchester City is the soccer odds favorite vs. Arsenal. Will they leave Emirate Stadium with a victory?
City responded to Monday’s shock FA Cup fifth-round defeat by League One Wigan Athletic in style as they swept aside Arsenal over the weekend. Manchester City’s 3-0 defeat in the Carabao Cup delivered Pep Guardiola’s 10th cup final win out of 11 as a coach, and the club’s first trophy of the new era under the Catalan maestro. City weren’t at their best in the first half but led through Sergio Aguero’s 18th-minute strike. However, second-half goals from Vincent Kompany and David Silva ensured Guardiola tasted success for the first time in England.
City dominated possession but didn’t create a great deal on target. What they lacked in volume they more than made up for in precision as their only three shots on target found the back of the Arsenal net. Aguero has scored in each of his last five appearances against Arsenal in all competitions. He’s never scored in six matches in a row against a single opponent for Man City.
Manchester City vs. Arsenal Soccer Odds & Betting Preview – March 1st
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) February 25, 2018When: Thursday, 2:25 PM ET Where: Emirates Stadium, London TV: NBC SN Soccer Odds: Man City -140, Arsenal +322, draw +281 (3 goals)
Why Bet on Arsenal?
Arsenal have been a disappointment in the Premier League this season as they sit in sixth place with 45 points, well back of Man City, who are running away with the title with 72 points. The Gunners (13-6-8) are 10 points adrift of derby rivals Tottenham Hotspur for the fourth and final Champions League spot and eight back of Chelsea for fifth. There’s some talk that Arsenal could give coach Arsene Wenger the boot. One of the favorites to replace Wenger, if it happens, is Carlo Ancelotti. The experienced Italian was sacked by Bayern Munich this season, but he has enjoyed a great deal of success throughout his glittering career. He won the Champions League with Real Madrid and two European Cups with AC Milan, and he has won domestic titles in England, Germany, Spain and Italy. He won the double at Chelsea a few years ago, so he knows the Premiership. Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim wants to take over at Arsenal next season if Wenger retires or is pushed out. The Portuguese coach is popular at the Emirates and was initially lined up to replace Wenger if he chose to step aside at the end of last season.How Are the Fans Feeling About Recent Games?
Arsenal fans are livid over the team’s performance in the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday, a 3-0 loss to Manchester City. Arsenal could have been ahead after eight minutes when Aaron Ramsey played Mesut Ozil in down the right and his low cross was intercepted by a combination of Kyle Walker and Claudio Bravo, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang unable to steer home the rebound. From Gary Neville calling the Gunners “spineless” and “a disgrace” on Sky Sports during the game to the barrage of outrage on social media, Arsenal have taken a verbal beating after that loss. TV personality Piers Morgan tweeted: “We’ve given up. I wonder how many goals we’d have to lose by to force Wenger out – 8? 9? Double figures?”What Does the Coach Have to Say?
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshire, while admitting City deserved their victory, felt the Gunners were hard done to by some of referee Craig Pawson’s decisions. Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi claimed he was fouled by Sergio Aguero seconds before the Argentinian opened the scoring, while Leroy Sane was stood in an offside position but deemed to be not interfering with play as Vincent Kompany added a second. Wilshere also claimed City midfielder Fernandinho should have been sent off during the contest. “Whatever you say about the first goal, it’s a foul. The second goal is offside. There should have been a second yellow in the first half,” Wilshire said. Henrikh Mkhitaryan was not allowed to play in the final because he was cup tied after participating with Manchester United before his transfer. Arsenal will have Mkhitaryan for the match against Manchester City on Thursday.Why Bet on Manchester City?
City responded to Monday’s shock FA Cup fifth-round defeat by League One Wigan Athletic in style as they swept aside Arsenal over the weekend. Manchester City’s 3-0 defeat in the Carabao Cup delivered Pep Guardiola’s 10th cup final win out of 11 as a coach, and the club’s first trophy of the new era under the Catalan maestro. City weren’t at their best in the first half but led through Sergio Aguero’s 18th-minute strike. However, second-half goals from Vincent Kompany and David Silva ensured Guardiola tasted success for the first time in England.
City dominated possession but didn’t create a great deal on target. What they lacked in volume they more than made up for in precision as their only three shots on target found the back of the Arsenal net. Aguero has scored in each of his last five appearances against Arsenal in all competitions. He’s never scored in six matches in a row against a single opponent for Man City.
