Arsenal vs Manchester City Odds: Two tips for the opening Premier League game of 2022

The Premier League is starting 2022 with a bang, as Arsenal welcome Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium for the first game of the new year.

When these sides met earlier this season it would have been hard to believe Mikel Arteta was still in a job come this stage of the season, never mind an unbeaten home run that spans 11 games and dates back to August.

His Arsenal side were tragic in a 5-0 hiding at the Etihad Stadium four months ago, with Granit Xhaka’s first half red card serving only to add to the embarrassment of that day.

The result left Arsenal joint bottom of the Premier League after three games, having scored none and conceded nine, and prompted questions over the former-City-assistant’s future at the helm.

Since then the Gunners have been firing on all cylinders, picking up the 2nd most points per game (2.19) and propelling themselves up to 4th in the division and within touching distance of Chelsea and Liverpool. Their turnaround has been remarkable and has been powered by their impressive home form.

Since that humbling defeat, Arsenal have won 10 of 11 unbeaten home games in all competitions and haven’t conceded a home league goal in over 360 minutes of football.

It’s all good news for Arsenal so far, so what’s the catch? Oh yeah, they’re playing Manchester City.

The visitors are the only side in better form than their hosts, averaging 2.59 points per game since the last meeting between the two.

Pep Guardiola’s side made it 10 wins in a row with a 1-0 victory at Brentford on Wednesday, also registering their sixth consecutive away win, extending their lead at the top of the league to a healthy 8 points as Chelsea and Liverpool continue to fall over themselves.

As their title rivals have struggled on the choppy waters of the Premier League winter, City have sailed by on their super yacht without a blip as they look to secure a fourth title in five years.

Pep will be hoping to welcome Rodri, John Stones, and Kyle Walker back to the squad after they missed out at Brentford due to lack of fitness. If Walker isn’t ready to start Nathan Ake could continue at left-back after a clean sheet performance against Brentford.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are experiencing a crisis of sorts at right-back. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Cedric Soares, Calum Chambers, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are all missing after testing positive for COVID, as has Mikel Arteta, so Ben White could return at right-back. Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues his suspension from first team activities.

As good as Arsenal have been in the last three months, they’ve still had their issues - especially against elite sides.

The Gunners have won only three of their nine games against sides in the top 10 (vs 8/10 against bottom 10) and were made to look vastly inferior in defeat at Anfield in December.

On the other hand, City have been unstoppable of late and have the superior recent record in this fixture.

The visitors have won nine in a row against their hosts, staying under 3.5 goals in all four games at the Emirates Stadium.

If Nathan Ake is to once again deputise at left-back, the price on offer of 9/2 for him to pick up a booking certainly catches the eye.

The Dutchman will likely have to contend with the silky Bukayo Saka, who has been a thorn in the side of full-backs all season.

He’s drawn 40 fouls in his 17 starts (2.7 per 90) and has caused bookings for non-traditional left-backs Stuart Dallas, Ben Godfrey, and Matt Ritchie in recent weeks.