Ahead of the highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash this Sunday, SportsLens takes a deep dive to unpack a full-sale Manchester City vs Arsenal stats comparison.
Arsenal will be looking to defend their top spot in the Premier League standings by securing a victory, while champions Manchester City will seek to disrupt Arsenal’s lead and reignite their own aspirations of a fourth successive title.
While both teams have excelled on the pitch this season, occupying spots near the summit of the table and advancing in the Champions League, how do their season statistics stack up against each other?
Manchester City Vs Arsenal Head-To-Head
Arsenal have emerged victorious twice in their previous 10 encounters across all competitions, notably securing a first win over City in almost a decade at the Emirates earlier in October and clinching a Community Shield win via penalties.
On the flip side, Manchester City have had a stranglehold on this head-to-head – particularly at home – with their latest victory coming last season with a 4-1 win. One of their standout performances was a commanding 5-0 win over Arsenal at the Etihad in 2021.
Mikel Arteta has secured three victories but suffered eight losses in his own personal record against his former employers. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola boasts 20 wins, three draws, and six losses in his record against Arsenal. Notably, only eight of Guardiola’s victories came while Arteta has been in charge of Arsenal.
Arsenal enters Sunday’s match on the back of winning their last five Premier League games, whereas Guardiola’s side comes into the fixture with a record of two draws and three wins in their last five games.
Goals from De Bruyne, Stones and Haaland put Arsenal to the sword in @premierleague title clash! 💪
Here's how it happened 👇 pic.twitter.com/36s6scZq7F
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 26, 2023
Which Team Has The Better Attack?
Both clubs feature some of the world’s top attacking talents, including Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus for Arsenal, while City boast the deadliest attacking force in world football. However, when it comes to goal-scoring prowess, which team has been more effective in front of goal?
In terms of statistics, Arsenal holds the edge in goal-scoring prowess this season, having netted 70 goals in the Premier League compared to City’s 63. Arteta’s team also boasts a superior conversion rate, standing at 21.47%, compared to Man City’s conversion rate of 18.37%.
Arsenal has surpassed expectations by scoring significantly more goals than their expected goals (xG) this season, with an xG of 61.19. On the other hand, Manchester City’s xG of 62.01 suggests that their actual goal tally aligns more closely with their expected performance.
Moreover, with the match taking place at the Etihad Stadium, it’s notable that Arsenal holds the record for the most away goals scored in the league this season, tallying 34 goals. However, it’s worth considering that Arsenal has only managed to score one goal at the Etihad in the past five years.
When comparing the front three, if we consider Arsenal’s trio as Martinelli, Havertz, and Saka, and City’s as Foden, Haaland, and Alvarez, it’s evident that City’s forwards have outscored Arsenal’s by 10 goals. City’s front three have collectively scored 37 goals, whereas Arsenal’s trio has managed 27 goals in total.
Bukayo Saka’s Premier League stats compared to Phil Foden so far this season.
Two of England’s most talented players going head-to-head in 2023/24. pic.twitter.com/5aqNYu3BsW
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) March 3, 2024
Which Team Has The Better Defence?
Considering the defensive strength of both teams, it’s evident that they possess world-class defenders. Arsenal’s William Saliba has been exceptional this season, solidifying their backline. His absence due to injury during the title run-in last season was sorely felt and arguably impacted Arsenal’s league campaign.
With Saliba now fully fit, could his presence prove defining for Arsenal’s title aspirations this time around?
It is worth drawing attention to the fact Arsenal have won the most points from scoring first this term, although City are unbeaten when taking the lead first.
Manchester City’s defensive lineup, comprising Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol, forms a formidable barrier that opponents struggle to breach.
However, injuries sustained by both Kyle Walker and John Stones during the recent international break could potentially rule them out of the upcoming weekend fixture, which could provide Arsenal with a significant boost.
According to Squawka, Arsenal has recorded more clean sheets, tallying 11 compared to City’s eight. Additionally, Arsenal has conceded fewer goals, with 24 against their name in contrast to Manchester City’s 28, meaning they concede on average every game they play.
I already said this, every metric I make, Arsenal comes out at the TOP.
Arsenal has stopped the most of the OPPOSITION sequences to make an entry to the Attacking Third.
On top of that, A very few ended as a shot. Only 6%.
ELITE defence.
UPDATED until GW 26. pic.twitter.com/Lb2gvdzykL
— EPL – Analytics (@DataAnalyticEPL) March 2, 2024
Manchester City’s tackle success rate stands at 58%, just edging over Arsenal’s 57%. They have also conceded more errors leading to a goal, with 6, compared to City’s 2.
For an Arsenal fan hoping for a victory against the reigning champions, it’s disheartening to note that Pep Guardiola’s team has preserved an unbeaten streak in their last 38 home games across all competitions, with their last defeat being a 2-1 loss against Brentford in November 2022.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
