[](https://yankeegooner.net/match-of-the-season-on-sunday-at-the-etihad/)
Ok, the Champions League semifinal spot is locked up, so now all attention returns to the Premier League, and in a very big way!
Arsenal’s magic number to win the league title this season is 16. A win at Manchester City on Sunday will lower that number to 10, however, there is so much work to do.
We know stats do not really mean anything when these two clubs meet, however, recent history does look like a very even match-up.
In City’s last five Premier League games they have 3 wins and 2 draws. City has also outscored their opponents 11-3. Arsenal 4 wins and 1 defeat, while outscoring opponents 10-4. But, Arsenal has played only one Premier League match since March 14th.
Case in point. In the Gunners last 5 matches in all competitions, the team has won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2, with a combined scoring advantage of just 5-4. Mikel Arteta’s squad were shut-out 3 times in those 5 matches.
I’m not sure what any of this means other than Arsenal needs to play the best match of this season to maintain a fairly healthy lead on top of the league table.
They need to be offensively more creative, and tighter on the back line, avoiding silly mistakes that lead to goals.
The Gunners need Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber back on Sunday’s team sheet, and ready to start. This has to be Arsenal putting their best foot forward, while playing in a very hostile environment in Etihad Stadium.
With that said, I still have a positive feeling about this match for the Gunners!
COYG!
Gunner1953