Image copyright: Getty Images
2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 30
Manchester City v Arsenal
Etihad Stadium
Manchester, England
Sunday, 31 March 2024
Kick-off is at 17h30
Arsenal will look to make a statement in the
Premier League title race when they take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, March 31.
The Gunners occupy top spot with 10 matches left to play in the season, although they lead Liverpool on goal difference alone as the two teams are tied on 64 points.
Mikel Arteta's side moved back to the summit after they beat Brentford 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on March 9 to make it eight wins on the spin.
The Citizens trail the top two by a sinle point in third place following their 1-1 draw at Anfield on March 10, which extended their unbeaten run to 13 games.
The fight for fourth place is also hotly contested as the gap between Aston Villa (4th) and Tottenham (5th) stands at three points after they both failed to win last time out.
The Villans were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham at the London Stadium on March 17, while Spurs suffered a shock 3-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage the previous day.
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In team news, City manager Pep Guardiola has an almost fully-fit squad at his disposal, with Ederson (thigh) and Kevin De Bruyne (groin) the only two doubts to feature. David Raya is back in contention for the North Londoners after he was ineligible to face parent club Brentford, while Gabriel Martinelli (ankle), Jurrien Timber (knee), Gabriel (calf) and Bukayo Saka (muscular) are all rated doubtful.
The Citizens have a busy April ahead of them as they are set to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals before locking horns with Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.
However, Guardiola isn't looking any further ahead than their clash with title rivals Arsenal and is hoping his players come though the international window unscathed.
"It's a wish [that everyone is okay]. It's difficult sometimes in that period in the busiest time of the season. The schedule is the schedule," the Spaniard said.
"One step at a time. We have a final against Arsenal. I don't want to think right now much in the future.
"It's been an intense period. A change of environment is always good for the mind. When we come back we will have three days to prepare for the game against Arsenal. Then let's go."
Image copyright: Getty Images
Arteta hailed the different qualities on display from his team during their eight-match winning streak and acknowledged that consistency was key to achieving that fine run.
"There's a lot of qualities that you need to win that many games in this league and manner in which we have done it," the Spaniard said.
"But it is about consistency as you've mentioned, and not being satisfied and willing to do more, and as well having the qualities to gain in different context because every game is going to require different process, different story and the team showed a different one today."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man City wins - 4
Arsenal wins - 1
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 30 fixtures:
Saturday, March 30
14h30: Newcastle United v West Ham United
17h00: Bournemouth v Everton
17h00: Chelsea v Burnley
17h00: Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace
17h00: Sheffield United v Fulham
17h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Luton Town
19h30: Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers
22h00: Brentford v Manchester United
Sunday, March 31
15h00: Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion
17h30: Manchester City v Arsenal
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