Man City look to extend winning streak against West Ham
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Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and will move provisionally top with a win over West Ham United.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Manchester City have the chance to climb above Arsenal and seize the English Premier League lead on Dec 20 with a home clash against struggling West Ham United, before Mikel Arteta’s injury-hit side head to Everton later in the day.
Pep Guardiola's side sit two points behind Arsenal and will move provisionally top with a win over West Ham.
City are in imperious form, with one loss at the Etihad Stadium in their last 11 matches and riding a six-game winning streak in all competitions.
Guardiola, however, insisted that his team “can do better” when he spoke on Dec 19 to preview the match.
“We had results, but there are a lot of things we have to do better,” he said.
“Still, we are not in the position in the way we play that we should be. But it helps the fact that the mentality and commitment is incredible – that helps us to be there.”
Despite injuries to key players like Rodri and John Stones, and missing Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri to international duty, their depth and attacking firepower make them heavy favourites against a West Ham side stuck in the relegation zone and winless in five.
Guardiola, as usual, also warned against complacency.
“We know how difficult they are. They drew at Old Trafford, at Brighton away. They have top-class players – huge respect, but at the same time we are ready,” he added.
His men are unbeaten in their last 19 league games against West Ham since a 2-1 home loss in September 2015.
Arsenal travel to Merseyside on Dec 20 evening to face an Everton team that have found some rhythm, winning four of their last six matches.
Arteta’s team have stuttered slightly in recent weeks, winning just three of their last six league games. A slip at Hill Dickinson Stadium could hand Guardiola’s side a psychological edge heading into the busy festive fixtures.
“It’s about consistency. I think we have lost one game in 21 away from home,” said Arteta. “You have to hit almost perfection in a lot of things that you do.
“We have lost two games in the last kick of the game with possibilities to win the game as well. But that is what we have to learn and do better.”
Arsenal have been hard hit by injuries, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, Max Dowman, Ben White and Martin Zubimendi all missing training on Dec 16.
This weekend’s league games also mark the first since the exodus of players to the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Manchester United, who drew 4-4 with Bournemouth in a wild game on Dec 15, face a huge challenge when they travel to Aston Villa on Dec 21.
Third-place Villa are three points behind Arsenal, while United are sixth on 26 points. If the task was not already tough enough, United are missing Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo due to the Afcon.
Villa boss Unai Emery says his players are not feeling under pressure in a potential title chase.
“We are feeling ambitious and we try to challenge in Europe and in the Premier League,” he said.
“Enjoy each match, try to prepare, then rest. The players must feel comfortable doing it. This is the process we are doing. Now it is Manchester United.”
The weekend begins with Newcastle United hosting Chelsea, while Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool will both look for a morale-boosting victory when they meet in north London later. REUTERS, AFP
