Manchester City vs Arsenal prediction

Arsenal's injury list reads like a casualty ward — Saka's out with an Achilles problem, Ødegaard's knee is dodgy, and Rice plus Timber are both major doubts. That's basically their entire creative spine missing or compromised. Without Saka's pace and trickery down the right, Arsenal become predictable. Ødegaard pulls the strings in midfield, and if he can't go, they lose that vital link between defence and attack. City will fancy their chances of keeping things tight and hitting on the counter. The pressure's all on Arsenal too — they're top of the table but City smell blood with that game in hand. At the Etihad, with their injury crisis, this feels like the moment City take control of the title race. I wouldn't back Arsenal here — too many key players missing against a City side that's hitting form at exactly the right time.