Man City, Arsenal push for early lead in title race

Even though there are only four rounds left in the Premier League season, Sunday's match between champions Manchester City and Arsenal is already being regarded as a crucial one in the race for the championship.

Over the last two seasons, the two clubs have faced off, with Pep Guardiola's City emerging victorious both times as they extended their winning streak to an incredible four games in a row.

A win on Sunday would provide a psychological boost, but nothing in the first few games of the new season indicates that things will be any different this time. Many people believe Arsenal can finally break City's stranglehold.

The Premier League of England accused its current champions of breaking financial restrictions, and a hearing was held on Monday.
The start of an independent commission's hearing into 115 allegations for purported violations of the Premier League's financial regulations, which the Abu Dhabi-owned team vehemently denies, has cast a shadow over City's otherwise brilliant horizon.

Nevertheless, despite that diversion, things have continued as normal on the pitch, with City leading the standings with a maximum of 12 points and striker Erling Haaland now on pace to break his own records with nine goals already.

Last Saturday, Arsenal faced a crucial test when they travelled to Tottenham Hotspur, a rival team in North London, without star midfielder Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard. Despite this, Arsenal won 1-0 victory to move them to 10 points from their four games.
Early in the 2018 campaign, Mikel Arteta's team defeated City 1-0 and drew 0-0 at The Etihad, a result that at the time appeared better for the London club.

On the final day of the season, City secured the title with a nine-game winning streak.
Arsenal is aware that there won't be much room for mistake in the title fight, and while losing to City on Sunday wouldn't be fatal, a five-point gap would be concerning.

The return of England international Rice from suspension will help Arteta on Sunday, but Norway's Odegaard, a midfielder, will once more be sidelined due to ankle ligament problems.

With Arsenal having one less day to prepare for their Champions League match against Atalanta on Thursday, City will have a minor advantage. City will be eager to go back to winning ways after being held to a 0-0 draw at home by Inter Milan in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.

About the much-awaited match, City defender Ruben Dias stated, "We know Arsenal very well, they know us very well, and obviously it will be a very intense game."