Inside Arsenal's resurgent rise ahead of crunch Premier League clash with Man City

Inside Arsenal's resurgent rise ahead of crunch Premier League clash with Man City

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up ahead of Arsenal and Man City clash

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 31/03/2024

- 08:00

The Gunners will be hoping to boost their hopes of glory when they step out at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday

If Arsenal are to become Premier League champions for the first time since 2004, then they'll need to avoid a major setback against Manchester City on Sunday.

Football fans are in line for an Easter treat, with two of the biggest and best sides in the country poised to lock horns at the Etihad Stadium.


Arsenal go into the match sitting top of the table, with Mikel Arteta's side on song as they look to end 20 years of hurt.

But City, while not at the same level they were last season, will represent their biggest test of the campaign so far.

Mikel Arteta Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has rebuilt Arsenal and turned the club into a major force ahead of their Premier League clash with Man City

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A few years ago, the prospect of Arsenal being close to City's dizzying level was laughable.

They regressed during the final years of the Arsene Wenger era and, when Unai Emery lost his job in November 2019, the north London giants were stuck in a rut.

Slowly but surely, however, Arteta has built something special in the capital. On current form they're the best team in the land, a side brimming with confidence and belief as they look to secure the trophy they want above all other.

It started, of course, by hiring Arteta as manager.

The Spaniard had been considered when Wenger retired in 2018 but he was considered too inexperienced, having only been Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City for a couple of years.

However, Arsenal took a punt on Arteta and he immediately established himself by winning the FA Cup, and then the Community Shield, in 2020.

In the immediate years that followed, the Gunners continued to struggle.

Arteta's first full season saw the club finish eighth. Since finishing fifth in the 2021/2022 campaign, however, they haven't looked back.

Arsenal have recruited well.

They took Martin Odegaard when it was clear he wouldn't make the grade at Real Madrid, with the Norway international a particularly vital signing.

Defenders such as William Saliba and Gabriel were recruited under the radar, without much fuss or competition.

And after missing out on title glory last season, Arteta decided to be ruthless.

Gone was Granit Xhaka, with the Switzerland international departing to Bayer Leverkusen despite impressing last term.

In came Declan Rice, with Arsenal shattering their record transfer fee to acquire the midfielder from West Ham.

Aaron Ramsdale was sent to the bench after toiling during the final few months of last season.

In came David Raya, with the Spaniard since overcoming a testing start to firmly establish himself as the club's No 1.

And Arsenal haven't looked back since a trip to the Middle East around Christmas, with the Gunners showing they're a force to be reckoned with.

Ray Parlour, speaking exclusively to GB News via NetBet, insists his old side aren't the real deal just yet.

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Arsenal Mikel Arteta Man City

Arsenal have recruited well under Mikel Arteta to close the gap on Man City

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But Parlour does think Arsenal have what it takes to win the title.

"I think the bookies have got it right that Arsenal are 3rd favourites to win the league," he said.

"Arsenal can win the League and with the signing of Declan Rice, they have improved the squad and playing well.

"Last season, the loss of Saliba was massive in the run in and for Arsenal to win the League, they need all the squad fit.

"Last season it was Arsenal & Man City, this season it’s now three teams and they all believe they can win it."

Parlour does feel, however, that Arsenal can get even better if they recruit a new No 9.

Ray Parlour Arsenal

Ray Parlour has been enthused by Arsenal's improvement ahead of their Premier League clash with Man City

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"Attacking wise, Arsenal have been excellent since the turn of the year," he added.

"However, in the summer I would like to see a striker signed as in our day we had four top strikers."

It'll be fascinating to see how Arsenal fare when they face City.

They have, after all, struggled while playing against Guardiola's team over the past few years.

But they seem to finally be up to the levels of old - and victory at the Etihad will boost their chances of title glory come the end of the season.

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