Man City will NOT beat Arsenal

By: Patrick | August 24th, 2007

I’m sorry to say it, but Manchester City’s run of perfection is going to come to an abrupt end.

I know City must have a lot of confidence, I know Arsenal has it’s fair share of injuries and I know anything can happen on any given day in football - but in this case - City will not beat Arsenal.

Arsenal has lost a grand total of one match at the Emirates and there is a reason for that. The Gunners are very good on their new pitch and this overacheiving City team is simply not good enough to beat Arsenal.

For one, if you didn’t see the match, it’s hard to explain just how lucky Man City got to beat thier rivals Manchester United last weekend. To say that City had one chance and took and advantage of it is an overstatement. The Citizens had one half-chance (more like a 1/3 chance), got a defelection and the ball somehow found the net.

Defensively, even with Micah Richards playing a phenomonal match, United had one chance after another, after another, after another. Baby Schemichel did well, but it was more of a combination of United unable to finish and just plain luck.

If they played that match 10 more times, it’s safe to say United would win six, draw three and lose once.

But this match with Arsenal is even more one-sided. Arsenal away is more difficult than Man United at home and the Gunners, unlike United, have played well to begin the new season.

I’m willing to leave open the possibility that City could somehow manage a draw in this match. But City fans shouldn’t count on it. A club can only be so lucky for so long.

Predition: Arsenal 2, City 0 (I hope I’m wrong, I just don’t think I am)

Transfer Rumor Update

So who is Sven going to swoop on next?

This much is clear, Eriksson will get a striker (I think). It seems everyone is interested in Anelka, and he very well could come back to City, but what I think is a more interesting possibility is Julio Baptista.

Sky Sports is reporting that Sven is interested in the Real Madrid striker, and I believe it will be a great move. Yes, Baptista was less than impressive for Arsenal last year but he did show flashes of brillance and I can picture a dangerous attacking duo with Baptista and Elano.

There are also reports that Sven could grab Nuno Gomes from Benfica (clearing space for Adu?), or he could go back to Italy and grab Udinese’s Borja Oubina.

Another interesting rumor, is the possibility of Deco coming to Manchester. The midfield lacks depth, and Deco’s experience and creativity could do wonders for the club.

At keeper, Sven seems to be content with baby Schmeichel (which I think would be a minor mistake) and what seems to be a forgone conclusion is that Darius Vassell’s days in Manchester are about to run out.