Statistical Preview: Manchester City vs Arsenal

A spectacular equaliser from Dani Osvaldo saw Manchester City held to a point against Southampton last time out after an early strike from Sergio Aguero.

Aguero remains the league’s joint most accurate shooter according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, have racked up an excellent 30 on target attempts on goal so far this season. Only Liverpool’s Luis Suarez can match him in this regard. You can find Aguero at 13/12 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.

The brilliant Argentinean was uncharacteristically wayward last weekend though, seeing 50% of his 6 shots against fail to test the keeper according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Dominant thought they have undoubtedly been at times this season, Manchester City could still use a little more defensive nous in the centre of their midfield. Fernandinho (27) and Yaya Toure (25) rank second and third in the league respectively for tackles lost this season.

Toure however remains a major part of why City have dominated so effectively at the Etihad this term though. Last weekend he passed yet another another milestone as he became the first player in the league to complete more than 600 passes in the opponent’s half this season.

A pulsating encounter at the Emirates on Sunday saw Arsenal draw 1-1 with Everton last time out. The Gunners were unsettled in the first half against the Toffees thanks to some slick football from Roberto Martinez’s men but Mesut Ozil’s composed finish was enough to see them extend their lead at the top of the table to five points.

This weekend will see a battle of two of the league most consistent attacking threats this season when Aaron Ramsey and Sergio Aguero line up against each other at the Etihad. Whilst Aguero has been prolific, Ramsey has been more efficient in his use of the balls in attacking situations. Ramsey has an overall shot accuracy rate of 70% from 30 attempts, compare to Aguero’s 58.9% from 51 attempts. Ramsey is 4/1 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.

The title ‘King of the Assist’ might weigh heavily on some players, but most are not blessed with the skill of Mesut Ozil. The German has probably not been at his best in recent weeks but has still fitted seamlessly into Arsenal’s attacking patterns. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index he’s already made the joint highest number of assists in the league this season with 7.

Arsenal’s point against Everton was in large part thanks to the outstanding defensive display of Laurent Koscielny who held their backline together against a Toffees side which dominated for large parts of the game. The Frenchman once again showcased his superb reading of the game with 8 interceptions on Sunday, the highest of any player in the league during the last round.

Able understudy though Carl Jenkinson undoubtedly is, Gunners fans will no doubt be keen to see Bacary Sagna back fit and firing as soon as possible after some sterling early season displays from the French right-back. He currently has the best overall tackle success rate of any Arsenal player, winning an excellent 85.7% of the 14 challenges he has committed to this season.