It is one Mikel Arteta probably wished to have got over and done
Arsenal currently sit mid-table in the Premier League and with Europa League being the absolute minimum they would expect to get, they have a tough task in the next 10 games.
They sit eight points adrift of 4th-place Chelsea but could get Champions League football if they finish 5th and Man City lose their appeal regarding their ban for next season.
With transfers being a hot topic in the summer and the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang linked with clubs elsewhere and negotiating a new contract with the Gunners, it could be a long summer if things do not go their way.
Online bookmakers thepools.com spoke to football.london's Art De Roche ahead of tonight's match:
Recommended bets:
1) Win, lose or draw?
Manchester City 3-2 Arsenal ( 20/1 )
Manchester City away was going to be tough whenever it was played but as a first game back, Mikel Arteta will have an incredibly tough task.
As City will be rusty too that may slightly push the odds into Arsenal's favour but the overall quality of Pep Guardiola's side should see them through.
2) Who’s a good bet for 1st scorer?
Looking at Arsenal the safest player to go for in this category is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ( 6/1 ).
Despite playing off the left, he still amounts for 42.5 per cent of the Gunners' Premier League goals this season.
That being said it is more likely for Manchester City to open the scoring which may see Sergio Aguero ( 23/10 ) as a reliable option [he scored a hat trick in Arsenal's last visit to the Etihad].
3) Who’s on pens?
Arsenal have been somewhat starved of penalties this season and although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ( 17/10 anytime) has been their main man, Nicolas Pepe ( 15/4 anytime) was the one to step up from 12 yards.
It wouldn't be surprising if this was the case again.
4) Will you keep a clean sheet?
Arsenal will not keep a clean sheet at Manchester City ( 1/20 ).
Despite Bernd Leno's heroics throughout the 2019/20 campaign, he'd have to pull off a performance of the decade to keep City at bay come Wednesday night.
5) Will the absence of fans help or hinder?
With Arsenal being the away team, the absence of fans could help them more than hinder them.
The onus won't be on them and if they do manage to get a foothold in the game, City won't have the support of thousands to swing the momentum back in their favour.
Mikel Arteta will definitely try to use that to his advantage.
