After beginning the campaign with the worst start in their 118-year history, Mikel Arteta’s side has enjoyed the comeback of the season in recent weeks.Arsenal’s dominant 5-0 victory over Norwich on Boxing Day took their winning run in all competitions to five games but the biggest test to their recent form comes in the form of Pep Guardiola’s red hot Manchester City.Resurgent Arsenal stand great against the rest of the league however they have lost to all of their top-four rivals. The Gunners suffered defeats in their three opening games of the Premier League, including a 5-0 mauling by their upcoming Sky Blue rivals.After the horrendous streak, Arsenal bounced back and managed to elbow through into the top four.Finally, some words of praise from RangnickThe young north London squad is full of confidence but the first day of 2022 will bring the biggest challenge to their current form.Despite their promising run of form, Arsenal suffered defeats against Manchester United (3-2) and Everton (2-1) but four victories in the last four league games revived their self-belief.Surprisingly, their recent dominant victories have come in the midst of turmoil at the club after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the captaincy following a ‘disciplinary breach’.Apart from the intimidating Man City, Arsenal do face other troubles – they head into the clash without boss Arteta who tested positive for Covid-19 this week.What could boost the optimism at the Emirates is the fact the stadium has become a fortress this season – Arsenal have lost just once at the Emirates all season (to Chelsea back in August) – and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the red-and-white’s withstand City’s bombardment.Cancelo attacked at his home with wife and daughter presentGunners owe a lot of their recent success to their youngsters – who carry the whole team. Bukayo Saka (20), Gabriel Martinelli (20) and Emile Smith Rowe (21) were crucial for the victories that came in the last couple of rounds. Seventeen of Arsenal’s 32 Premier League goals this season have been scored by players 21 or under – more than any other top-flight club in 2021-22.League leaders City can boast with an outstanding goal balance. Guardiola’s side have also only conceded 12 goals on their mission to keep the Premier League crown – recording 12 clean sheets along the way.Arteta will miss the Manchester City tie on New Year’s Day due to coronavirusEmirates welcomes the Citizens who are on the back of a ten-game winning run – so far they have racked up a total of 51 goals, scoring four or more goals in six league matches.The Gunners have won just once in six clashes against Guardiola since Arteta left the role of his countryman’s assistant at Etihad – the victory came in 2020 in the FA Cup semi-final.As far as the Premier League goes, the last time Arsenal beat City was in December 2015 – it was a 2-1 win and since then the Gunners have only scraped a point in two games.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 21Saturday15:30: (6.00) Arsenal (4.20) Man.City (1.60)18:00: (6.00) Watford (3.90) Tottenham (1.65)20:30: (3.30) Crystal Palace (3.35) West Ham (2.35)Leicester – Norwich POSTPONEDSundaySouthampton – Newcastle POSTPONED17:00: (3.10) Brentford (3.20) Aston Villa (2.55)17:00: (2.70) Everton (3.05) Brighton (3.00)17:00: (2.05) Leeds (3.50) Burnley (3.90)19:30: (3.00) Chelsea (3.30) Liverpool (2.55)Monday20:30: (1.65) Man.Utd. (3.80) Wolverhampton (6.25)***odds are subject to change
