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Man City and Arsenal can dent each other's Premier League title hopes
How will Manchester City and Arsenal cope with key absences?
Arsenal losing 2-1 at Everton on Tuesday was not a huge surprise and nor was the overreaction to their relinquishing of a lead. Perspective is required, for this was the first time Arsenal had been defeated in the Premier League since the opening weekend of the season. Everton were out of form, sure, but Arsene Wenger usually struggles against counterpart Ronald Koeman, whose side had shown earlier in the campaign that they had this type of combative performance in them. What matters now is how the Gunners respond in their match at Manchester City on Sunday, when they will again be without the injured Shkodran Mustafi. The centre-back's three-week absence has already been felt at Everton, with his distribution from the back vital to Arsenal's game plan.
Anything but a return to winning ways for Manchester City at home to Watford on Wednesday was unthinkable. Pep Guardiola's men duly triumphed 2-0 to lift some of the pressure that had mounted on their manager who sets such sky-high standards. Arsenal, though, will provide a sterner test than Watford, with the Gunners' movement and counterattacking capable of causing similar damage to the City backline which conceded four at Leicester. With Chelsea boasting a six-point lead at the top and threatening to run away with the title, a draw would not suit either side at the Etihad on Sunday. Guardiola remains without integral striker Sergio Aguero and their most in-form central midfielder Fernandinho through suspension, which could ultimately prove decisive.
How will Manchester City and Arsenal cope with key absences?
Arsenal losing 2-1 at Everton on Tuesday was not a huge surprise and nor was the overreaction to their relinquishing of a lead. Perspective is required, for this was the first time Arsenal had been defeated in the Premier League since the opening weekend of the season. Everton were out of form, sure, but Arsene Wenger usually struggles against counterpart Ronald Koeman, whose side had shown earlier in the campaign that they had this type of combative performance in them. What matters now is how the Gunners respond in their match at Manchester City on Sunday, when they will again be without the injured Shkodran Mustafi. The centre-back's three-week absence has already been felt at Everton, with his distribution from the back vital to Arsenal's game plan.
Anything but a return to winning ways for Manchester City at home to Watford on Wednesday was unthinkable. Pep Guardiola's men duly triumphed 2-0 to lift some of the pressure that had mounted on their manager who sets such sky-high standards. Arsenal, though, will provide a sterner test than Watford, with the Gunners' movement and counterattacking capable of causing similar damage to the City backline which conceded four at Leicester. With Chelsea boasting a six-point lead at the top and threatening to run away with the title, a draw would not suit either side at the Etihad on Sunday. Guardiola remains without integral striker Sergio Aguero and their most in-form central midfielder Fernandinho through suspension, which could ultimately prove decisive.
