All Football

Fighting for Points

Mark Hughes may have scrapped for a draw against a tough Hull City side, but with Arsenal and Manchester United on Manchester City?s radar the Welshman will be wishing the Blues took all three points from their KC Stadium visit. As Arsenal travel to the City of Manchester Stadium, both managers will be feeling the pressure to pick up points in this busy and crucial stage of the Premier League season with Manchester City in real danger of falling into the relegation zone.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart?s injury has cast the spotlight on back-up Kasper Schmeichel as the club scour the market for a stand in keeper to sign on loan with past Chelsea fill-in Magnus Hedman turning down the chance to sign for Manchester City in a short-term deal. Hughes will be used to the ever-present injury concerns that continue to plague his early months at the helm of the club.

Hughes is also in the midst of negotiating young striker Daniel Sturridge?s contract extension as the academy star?s current deal runs out in the summer. Its seems that Hughes is continuing to play damage control as the Blues stutter through the first half of the season.

The club that began the season with sky high expectations continue to slip down the table and need a big win against a top four Arsenal side that are looking for points as well.

Unforgiving Internationals

Arsène Wenger?s comments on the ill-timed scheduling of this week?s international friendlies foreshadowed the bad news that would come Arsenal?s way involving young winger Theo Walcott who will be sidelined for a minimum of three months after dislocating his shoulder and receiving surgery after picking up the knock on England duty. The cards just are not falling in the Frenchman?s favor. After falling to top four contender Aston Villa at home Wenger will hope his boys can bounce back and restate their dominance at the top of the Premier League table.

The loss of Walcott will be a big blow for Arsenal who are already dealing with internal turmoil after under-fire captain William Gallas conceded that he has personally broke up several dressing room scuffles. The pressure seems to be getting to the Gunners who have failed to show their free-flowing, quick-touch football can produce results over the long haul.

Defensive struggles have long gripped the Gunners who let Philippe Senderos join AC Milan in the summer while injuries continue to plague the back-line. The Gunners will be without Kolo Toure as he recovers from a calf injury he picked up on international duty. Lightening strikes twice for Arsène Wenger as he loses another to the international break, but he will be hoping that lightening doesn?t strike twice in the Premier League by losing two in a row.

FORM GUIDE

Manchester City

Middlesbrough 2-0 Man City (EPL)
Bolton 2-0 Man City (EPL)
Man City 3-2 FC Twente (UEFA)
Man City1-2 Tottenham (EPL)
Hull 2-2 Man City (EPL)

Arsenal

Stoke City 2-1 Arsenal (EPL)
Arsenal 0-0 Fenerbahce (CL)
Arsenal 2-1 Man United (EPL)
Arsenal 3-0 Wigan (LC)
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa (EPL)

TEAM NEWS

Manchester City

The Blues will be without number one Joe Hart who is out for the next few weeks with an ankle injury. Martin Petrov has had surgery at long last and will be out for up to four months. Richard Dunne returns from his one game suspension after a successful run-out with the Irish national team midweek. Shaun Wright-Phillips showed fantastic form for the English national team against Germany and Mark Hughes will be hoping the fan favorite does the same at Eastlands.

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