Another big game ahead as Arsenal travel up from London to the Etihad Stadium. The media have taken delight in declaring City's season is crumbling after falling out of the Champions League and suffering their first domestic defeat against Chelsea. All I will say to that is "pffft, get a grip and find something interesting to write about".
Arsene Wenger's side haven't exactly got off to a flying start to the season after selling 3 very important players over the summer. Their defensive record is quite shocking overall, conceding more goals than anyone in the top 7 teams.
This poor record is partly down to their complete and utter capitulation to Manchester United earlier on in the season, but they have only conceded 2 in their last 5 Premier League games. However, their numbers at the back have taken a serious hit and are without a recognised full-back on either side of the pitch.
Unsurprisingly I would say their main threat is Robin van Persie. RVP has almost single handedly kept the Gunners in the top half of the table, scoring 15 or the team's 31 league goals. And they said City relied too much on Tevez last season! I've not heard much (anything) about how van Persie has been carrying the squad from the media, and you wont do either.
Given RVP's goal scoring form, it is a little concerning that City haven't kept a clean sheet for 8 consecutive league games. The absence of Nigel De Jong has certainly showed this season as Mancini has opted for the combination of Barry and Toure in the middle rather than Barry and De Jong with Toure further up the pitch.
On the plus side of this though it has obviously enabled City to be more adventurous despite using the exact same formation as last season as we now have more quality attacking players to choose from. There can be no denying that City's ability going forward has more than made up for less cover at the back.
Talking of cover at the back, Micah Richards is set to return at right-back which is a big boost to the squad. Pablo Zabaleta is likely to move over to the left of defence as Kolarov is still recovering from injury and Clichy is suspended. Other than that, there are no injury concerns at this time.
City are once again favourites with the bookies to come out on top, and despite Arsenal slowly getting themselves back into top form and City's little blip in the league I'd have to agree with them. Arsenal will come and play football, there will be no buses parked in front of their goal. This, coupled with their makeshift defence, could play right into City's strength on the break.
I've not really had a rant on here for a while, maybe it's because I've avoided reading everything concerning City in the morning after my 3 year old lad has unceremoniously kicked me out of bed, literally. The sound of "Dad, dad, can we go downstairs. Dad, come on dad." coupled with diggy little fingers and toes prodding you in the back at whatever ungodly hour it is, is enough to make anyone at least a little grumpy in the mornings.
Anyway... Arse 'n' Wanger just can't let it go can he? He's now well and truly joined the club of managers and fans that bang on about their illustrious histories as a put down for Manchester City.
Both Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy, who arrived from Arsenal this summer, both stated that a main reason they left Arsenal was to win trophies. Talking to a French radio station it's quite obvious that Arsene thinks otherwise;
"No it's not that... Frankly, if you compare what Manchester City has won in the past and what Arsenal have won, then you don't go to Manchester City to win titles. Players go to Manchester City because they pay much better than Arsenal."
Sacrebleu, really Arsene? The only reason they left Arsenal is for the money? I will not try and deny for one minute that money will have been a big factor, and it has been one of the main factors for a 'big' player to want to come to City until recently.
But let's face it, if someone was going to offer to increase your salary by 50%-100% for doing the exact same job, who in the right mind wouldn't take that and party (as someone once said)?
Arsenal have indeed won more trophies than City throughout their history, and certainly won more in my lifetime. But what is more appealing to a player right now?
Would you like to play for a team who can't hang on to its best players, one that refuses to bolster the side with real quality only to have yet another 'transitional' year as younger players are brought through, one that hasn't won anything for the last 6 years and doesn't look likely to do so any time soon, and lost to Birmingham the last time they even came close to silverware?
Or would you like to play for a team that not only offers you more money, but is quite clearly gaining momentum to becoming a real force in football, that not only has the ability but the willingness to bring in top quality players to help their cause as well as investing heavily in the Academy, one that has actually won a trophy recently (1 of many you would hope) and looks certain to win more in the coming years?
So once again Arsene, you wouldn't go to City to win trophies eh? Where are you currently sat in the Premier League? Now I'm not arrogant or stupid enough to say Arsenal will finish where they are now, or that City are going to win the league, but look at the facts at this moment in time Mr Wenger. City have made their best ever start to a season, sitting pretty at the top of the table having scored 27 goals conceding 6 after 8 games. Arsenal on the other hand have scored 9 goals conceding 17 and currently lie in 10th place.
Who, prey tell, looks the more likely to win titles? You can join the posse who bang on about past glories and complain all you want about your players wanting to play for a team with more ambition. Us over on the blue moon, whilst still proud of our history, will look forward to a bright future.
Arsene Wenger's side haven't exactly got off to a flying start to the season after selling 3 very important players over the summer. Their defensive record is quite shocking overall, conceding more goals than anyone in the top 7 teams. 
Unsurprisingly I would say their main threat is Robin van Persie. RVP has almost single handedly kept the Gunners in the top half of the table, scoring 15 or the team's 31 league goals. And they said City relied too much on Tevez last season! I've not heard much (anything) about how van Persie has been carrying the squad from the media, and you wont do either. 
On the plus side of this though it has obviously enabled City to be more adventurous despite using the exact same formation as last season as we now have more quality attacking players to choose from. There can be no denying that City's ability going forward has more than made up for less cover at the back. 
