Soccer
Unbeaten City turning it on
Ever since Arsenal went an entire English Premier League (EPL) campaign unbeaten over a decade ago, there has been a rush to anoint the successors to their throne.
Each team which has avoided defeat in the first few months of a subsequent league campaign is subjected to the same scrutiny: Can they become the next Invincibles?
On only nine occasions in the 13 EPL seasons since Arsène Wenger's managerial achievement has a team started a campaign with an unbeaten run of 11 matches or more.
Manchester United's 17 matches without defeat at the start of their triumphant 2010/11 season is the closest anyone has come to emulating the Invincibles.
Manchester City are the latest challengersto be forced onto that plate.
Not only did their 3-2 victory over West Brom extend their unbeaten run to 22 matches in all competitions going back to last season, it was a precursor to a noticeable change in conversation.“To go unbeaten? Well, it’s very hard,” said Kevin de Bruyne when asked earlier in the week. “I don’t think it will be possible.” A home game against Arsenal today, an elite team with no injuries and no suspensions to contend with, provides an opportunity to dispel any doubts.
The Gunners have won only one of five away games this season, and none of theirlast 15 trips to Chelsea, Liverpool, United , Tottenham or City. But they do have the talentto change the course of any given game.
There is only one guarantee when it comes to this fixture: goals. At least one teamhas scored twice in each of their last eight meetings. There have been 44 goals in thelast 15 matches between these two sides. The last 0-0 came on January 2011.According to the latest odds, a 5-1 home win or 2-1 away win is more likely than anothergoalless stalemate...
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