Jamie Carragher tips Arsenal to beat Man City thanks to their home advantage and hopes it will kick off a fierce title race… as he claims Pep Guardiola’s men will struggle with ‘huge player’ missing

• Jamie Carragher backed Arsenal to defeat Man City in their clash on Sunday
• The pundit added the treble winners will suffer with a key player unavailable
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Jamie Carragher has backed Arsenal to emerge victorious when they play host to Manchester City on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s side pushed the Citizens all the way last season, topping the table for 248 days before being being pipped to the post as City secured a historic treble.

The runaway favourites to retain their Premier League title for a fourth-consecutive season this campaign, City raced to the top of the league as the only side with a perfect record after six games.

However, the club’s momentum was halted last week as Wolves defied the odds to defeat Pep Guardiola’s side at Molineux, giving Arsenal the opportunity to leapfrog them in the table should they secure three points at the Emirates on Sunday.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher insisted that a combination of home advantage for the Gunners and City being without midfield anchor Rodri tips the balance in favour of the hosts.

Jamie Carragher backed Arsenal to defeat Man City on Sunday to ignite this season’s title race 

Carragher added City will struggle without midfield lynchpin Rodri, who is suspended after being sent off in their win over Nottingham Forest

Man City are looking to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title after lifting the Treble

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‘I’m going to go for Arsenal,’ Carragher said. 

‘I think Arsenal just might do it with home advantage and with Rodri not playing, who is a huge player for Manchester City. So I’m going to go with Arsenal.

The Spain international is currently serving a three-match suspension after being sent off for violent conduct following a clash with Morgan Gibbs-White during City’s win over Nottingham Forest.

Carragher added that victory for the Gunners could prove to be the impetus for this season’s title race. 

‘That’ll hopefully give us a title race between now and the end of the season because we can’t afford, as neutrals, I think we want this title race to go as long as it can possibly go.

‘Last season it did, it was brilliant between Arsenal and Manchester City but we don’t want City to be so far in front by Christmas and New Year that other teams lose belief.

Arsenal last defeated City in the Premier League in 2015, thanks to goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud

Arsenal beat the Citizens when they faced off at Wembley in the Community Shield in August

‘It’s not great for the league. Hopefully Arsenal can get the three points.’

History however is not on Arsenal’s side when it comes to taking on City in the Premier League.

The Gunners have lost their last twelve games against the club, conceding 33 and scoring just five goals in that time.

Arsene Wenger was in charge the last time they defeated Sunday’s opposition, with first-half goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud enough to clinch a 2-1 win in December 2015.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

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