Preview Arsenal vs Manchester City

Many consider this tie as a clash of philosophies, which to some extent is truly reflected in the transfer records; with one team going for the big money buys while the other spending very cautiously looking for relatively unknown talents and keeping the youth project in mind.

Arsenal host Manchester City on 24^th April with the weight of three consecutive losses on their shoulders and will look to avoid a third successive defeat in the league. Clearly, one would agree that the Arsenal’s season took a wrong turn at Nou Camp under the hands of Messi. A week later, Gunners all over the world had to bare the shame of losing the bragging rights to their fiercest North London rivals after a 2-1 loss. The weekend game against Wigan finally concluded the season for Arsenal, when they lost a two goal lead to a resilient Wigan team fighting for survival.

Having lost twice to Man City this season, Arsenal fans will be hoping to get a home win not only to secure the third spot but also to re-enforce the fact that Wenger was right in cashing in on Toure and Adebayor.

With injury list as long as ever for Arsene, the squad will be stretched in the last few games of this exciting marathon. With key players like Fabregas, Gallas and Vermaelen out for the season, it has left the already fragile defense with no legs and a young midfield with no dictator.

Adding to that woeful list, Arshavin, Denilson and Almunia are still sidelined along with Djourou and Gibbs. Unless Song, who has been immense this season, is declared to be fit, the starting line is likely to remain same.

Wenger told TV Online on Thursday – “Maybe Song could be off the injury list, he has a test tomorrow and we’ll see. He is a question mark.”

“Apart from that, nobody is back. Andrey Arshavin is out. Everyone else – Gallas, Almunia, Denilson - is still out too.”

The visitors come into the game with no less pressure, fighting for the fourth place with Tottenham who are two points above Mancini’s rich men. City were gutted to lose the Manchester derby at home in stoppage time by an excellent header from Paul Scholes.

Man City will be missing their ex-gunner Sylvinho along with Lescott, Petrov and Johnson. Richards is set to make a return on Saturday but is still doubtful. After investing over 200 million in boosting the squad, injuries tend to have a minor effect when compared to other teams whose season have been changed due to injuries.

Another highlight of this clash will be return of Arsenal Legend Patrick Viera for the first time since Champions league tie between Arsenal and Juventus in 2006. He will be accompanying Adebayor and Toure for their first return to Emirates. Much has been said about Adebayor’s behavior after the situation he caused at the Eastlands when City beat Arsenal 4-2.

Mancini delivered his views about the issue saying that –

“I don’t know why it happened but in that first game Emmanuel made a mistake. On Saturday it is important he only concentrates on Manchester City because Emmanuel is important to us when he is doing that.”

“If he scores another goal I will be happy but it is important we don’t have another situation like the first one.”

Tevez’s form, Patrick’s home coming, fight for fourth place, Arsenal fighting for their pride and fans much awaited reaction to Adebayor’s return is sure to make this tie nothing short of a spectacle.