26 April 2023 , 11:55
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Samir Nasri has backed Manchester City to overcome Arsenal and believes the winner will have "one hand on the title".
The Gunners, who were pictured walking around Manchester on Wednesday morning, have led the Premier League since day one, but now face a serious task in holding off the defending champions, who are eyeing a third successive title under Pep Guardiola. Arsenal have drawn three on the bounce, giving up leads at Liverpool and West Ham in recent weeks.
It means the north Londoners have dropped six points in their last three games and, unless they win at the Etihad, their destiny will no longer be in their own hands with City having their sights on an iconic treble with games in hand in the league that can take them above Arsenal.
Nasri, who helped the Manchester outfit claim their first title in 2012, has told L'Equipe : “I can’t wait for it, because the winner will have one hand on the title, and the fact that these are two clubs that meant something for my playing career”.
City have won 11 of their last 12 games in all competitions with their only blip being a draw at Bayern Munich, which secured their spot in the last four of the Champions League.
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Guardiola's outfit look relentless at a time when Arsenal appear to be showing signs of nerves.
Arsenal must overcome their poor record at the Etihad on Wednesday night (ZENPIX LTD)Nasri, who switch from Arsenal to City back in 2011, added: “City are reaching the peak of their form at the right moment, with all of their players being available for the run-in, unlike previous years.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are slowing down, having been in the lead virtually all season. Sometimes, when you’re so close to your goal but you’re not used to winning, you get the jitters.”
Arsenal have already lost to City twice this season: At the Etihad in the FA Cup and in the reverse fixtures at the Emirates. City's victory that night came courtesy of goals from Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish - who will again be causing the Gunners' backline problems.
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Bukayo Saka scored in the reverse fixture, which the Gunners lost 3-1 (ZENPIX LTD)William Saliba has been missing since mid-March and, in his absence, the backline has struggled. Arsenal have conceded seven in their last three games. They will need to buck that trend tonight against City, who have scored three or more in seven of their last eight games.
Arteta has played down the importance of Wednesday night's clash, insisting that the winner will not have claimed the title with several weeks still to go. He said: "It will shift a little bit, probably, in the percentage. But five games in this league, with the games we both have to play, are very tricky still."
The north London outfit haven't won at the Etihad since Arsene Wenger led the team to victory in January 2015. Since then they've endured a poor record, losing 5-0 last term with some calling for Arteta's head, before he begun his impressive turnaround.