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Football

11th Dec 2019

Gunners hoping to strike while iron is hot and kick City when they’re down

Niall McIntyre

Brought to you by Ladbrokes

Life comes at you fast.

If it wasn’t David Luiz forgetting he was a defender it was Mesut Ozil forgetting the ball. Shrugged shoulders, outstretched arms and feint, non-committal fits of frustration.

Arsenal didn’t deserve a break and Angelo Ogbonna, with the aid of a power-hour shoulder and a deflection of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, put them one down and plunged Freddie Ljungberg, his team and fans further into despair.

For Arsenal fans, the outlook was terribly bleak there and then. Their defending was hopeless, attacking was lifeless and supporters were getting to that stage where it was so bad, that they just couldn’t care anymore.

But then the tide turned. That gem of a Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli showed leadership beyond his years, as he has been doing when given the chance, to bring them back into the game.

He’s only 18, but the lively winger gave Arsenal’s more established pros the rocket fuel they needed. Aubameyang and co. woke up and they romped home for a 3-1 victory.

Suddenly, there’s talk of Freddie’s revival. Suddenly, Arsenal are back in the game.

The legitimacy of that statement will be tested this weekend, when the revitalised Gunners host an ailing Man City on Sunday in the Emirates. City are down, Arsenal need to kick it home.

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Southampton v West Ham

Down low, Southampton and West Ham are stuttering along. The Hammers have only won one game in the last five and Southampton have been about as consistent as the Irish weather.

Both have shown signs of life recently. For West Ham, beating Chelsea was a high point and they looked good for a while when taking the lead against the Gunners.

Danny Ings meanwhile, is keeping them afloat at St Mary’s, with five goals in his last five games. This one will be finely poised though, with both managers under the cosh and both teams in close proximity to the foot of the table.

Expect a cagey one. Expect a score draw.

(Saturday, 5.30)

Prediction: Southampton 1-1 West Ham

Man Utd v Everton

(Sunday, 2.00)

Sunday was like the United of old. Absorb the pressure and don’t stop for a breather on the break. Lingard’s passing was sublime while Rashford and Martial had the touch in. McTominay is ruling the midfield and Aaron Wan Bisakka is very hard to get past.

Question is, can they put good results back to back. Can they win a game they should be winning and one they used to always win?

After discarding of Marco Silva, big Duncan Ferguson had the desired impact against Chelsea, when they bounced to a convincing 2-0 win. Though Chelsea’s defending was utterly hapless, and they should be tested more here.

A tentative nod to the Red Devils.

Prediction: Man United 2-1 Everton

Arsenal v Man City

(Sunday, 4.30)

This really is a tightrope cal . Arsenal finished positively against West Ham, but they’re still Arsenal. City are in free-fall recently and losing to United at home will sting.

Aubameyang, an improving Pepe and the brilliant Martinelli might just poise.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Man City

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