EPL 2011-12: Schedule of the match Manchester City vs Arsenal

Table leaders Manchester City take on Arsenal on matchday 16 of the Premier League when the teams meet on Sunday 18 December 2011.

Man City suffered their first defeat of the league season when they lost 2-1 away to Chelsea on Matchday 15. Lampard became an instant hero to the home team when he came on from the bench to score the winning goal. seven minutes before the end. . The teams were tied 1-1 after Balotelli’s early lead for City was neutralized shortly before half-time by Raul Meireles’ goal. City started explosively with waves of attack in the first half hour to exploit Chelsea’s porous defence. It culminated in Balotelli’s goal, when Agüero cut in from the right to pass the ball past Terry to Agüero, who in turn passed it to Balotelli to do the rest. At the end of the day, City would have regretted many missed scoring opportunities in the first half when the home team’s defense was at sea, trying to deal with City’s marauding attack.

On Matchday 15, Arsenal recorded a 1-0 victory over Everton, in a match organized by Gunners at the Emirates. Robin Van Persie, who else, scored the only goal of the game to give Arsenal something to celebrate their 125th anniversary. Van Persie’s spectacular volley in the 71st minute was a relief to the home fans, who were frustrated by the many missed chances by the home side.

Head to head, in the last 10 years, Man City and Arsenal have met in 20 league games, with Arsenal winning 14 times and City 3, with the remaining games ending in a draw. The last time these teams met was in January 2011; that match played at the Emirates ended in a goalless draw.

Man City have won 8, drawn and lost 1 in each of their last 10 league games, while Arsenal have won 8, drawn and lost 1 in each of their last 10 games.

Currently top of the table, City have hosted 7 home games this season, winning all 7; The Gunners, who are fifth in the league table, have had 3 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses in their 7 away games.

With Chelsea causing a slight shake-up in City’s title bid in Week 15, the Manchester side will have a point or more to prove against the Gunners, whose rickety defense could be put to their toughest test yet.

Man City’s starting eleven against Chelsea: Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Joleon Lescott, Vincent Kompany, Gael Clichy, James Milner, Gnegneri Toure Yaya, Gareth Barry, David Silva, Sergio Agüero, Mario Balotelli.

Arsenal’s starting eleven against Everton: Wojciech Szczesny, Johan Djourou, Per Metresacker, Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Yao Gervinho, Robin Van Persie.