Arsenal travel to the Etihad to face Manchester City - a side they are just one point ahead in the league standing, but the Gunners are ahead of the Cityzens on one front
North London football club Arsenal have been recognised as the highest-rated team in Europe’s top five leagues.
The Gunners have had an excellent season and sit on top of the English Premier League, having come close last time out, only to agonisingly lose the title to Manchester City.
Arsenal have to show their title credentials, first by overcoming Manchester City at the Etihad or, in a worst-case scenario, avoiding defeat at all costs.
This season, the league title appears a lot tighter as it is a three-horse race between leaders Arsenal, Merseyside club Liverpool, and holder Manchester City.
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Manchester City vs Arsenal: Why Gunners must win at The Etihad to shed 'bottlers' tag
At this point last season, Arsenal started a disastrous run of form that saw them 'bottle' the Premier League title race, but with 10 games to go in this campaign, the Gunners must beat Manchester City at the Etihad to banish the demons from 2023/24
However, if Mikel Arterta’s men can hold their nerves and win all their remaining ten games, then the Gunners will be crowned champions - lifting a trophy they last won during the 2003/2004 season when they famously went unbeaten the entire campaign.
Arsenal rated higher than Manchester City and Liverpool
According to sports data analytics firm Whoscored.com, Arsenal have achieved a higher rating than Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.
Whoscored.com awarded Arsenal a rating of 7.14, while Manchester City and Liverpool have a rating of 7.0 and 6.98, respectively.
The Gunners have won 20 out of 28 league games this season, drawing four and losing only four.
Mikel Arteta’s side have also scored an extraordinary 70 goals while conceding just 24 in the process.
Runaway leaders of the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen are in fourth with a rating of 6.94. Bayern Munich make up the top five, scoring 6.89.
Ødegaard leading by example
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s captain, Martin Ødegaard, has also been named the player with the most key passes in the league.
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The 25-year-old Norwegian has made 29 key passes this season, closely followed by Manchester United’s captain Bruno Fernandes with 28.
If Ødegaard and his teammates maintain this brilliant run of form, they have enough firepower to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool for English football's top prize.
However, they must pass the Etihad test when they face Pep Guardiola and his men immediately after the international break.