The much-awaited <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/premier-league">Premier League</a>&nbsp;restart will witness Manchester City face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. The blockbuster clash will be played behind closed doors but it won’t matter to the football fanatics much as they will be seeing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/premier-league">Premier League</a> coming back on track following a prolonged break due to COVID-19.

Both the managers - Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta (who himself has been a COVID-19 survivor) -&nbsp;thanked the NHS and frontline workers during the pre-match press conference. Both Man City and Arsenal, like other <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/premier-league">Premier League</a> teams, have been working rigorously to get back to match fitness but are expected to be a bit rusty.&nbsp;

“You can play a game after three weeks on holiday but we spent two weeks on the sofa doing nothing much. That is why the players are not fully fit.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pep-guardiola-man-city-players-not-ready-for-hectic-premier-league-schedule-306320" hreflang="en">Pep Guardiola: Man City players not ready for hectic Premier League schedule</a>

“But that is why we have to finish the season. We have to limit the economic damage to the clubs. The way we are right now, I think other clubs and teams [as well], we don't know. If you ask me how the team is, I don't know,” Guardiola said in the press conference.

<h2>Advantage, Man City?</h2>

Talking about the fixture, Man City have won six straight competitive matches against the Gunners while scoring three goals in five of those six games. Before the league was put on a hold, Man City had won four of their five Premier League home games including a draw.

Whereas Arsenal trail the Champions League spot by eight points but an unbeaten run in the last eight Premier League games will give them an upbeat chance to upset the rusty Blues. With a lot to play for in the season, both the teams would be wanting to get back to full fitness as soon as possible and could treat the match as a stepping stone for the rest of the season. Win, is an absolute necessity for both which makes the contest a promising affair.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arteta-ready-for-challenge-of-premier-league-relaunch-306331" hreflang="en">Arteta ready for challenge of Premier League relaunch</a>

<h2>New Atmosphere: No Atmosphere</h2>

"When I was at the Emirates and there was no crowd, you cannot feel that energy, push or drive," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arteta-ready-for-challenge-of-premier-league-relaunch-306331">Arteta told reporters in a video press conference on Monday.</a>

"The game is different. The intensity drops a little bit. That urgency from the crowd doesn't exist anymore, how passionate the crowds are in England. We have to adapt.

"We have to experience it. We have to find ways to motivate our players as well in moments."

The star-studded affair will feature the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, David Silva and many others and the match will come as a massive sigh of relief for Premier League fans.&nbsp;

The much-awaited Premier League restart will witness Manchester City face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. The blockbuster clash will be played behind closed doors but it won’t matter to the football fanatics much as they will be seeing Premier League coming back on track following a prolonged break due to COVID-19.

The much-awaited Premier League restart will witness Manchester City face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. The blockbuster clash will be played behind closed doors but it won’t matter to the football fanatics much as they will be seeing Premier League coming back on track following a prolonged break due to COVID-19. Both the managers - Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta (who himself has been a COVID-19 survivor) - thanked the NHS and frontline workers during the pre-match press conference. Both Man City and Arsenal, like other Premier League teams, have been working rigorously to get back to match fitness but are expected to be a bit rusty. “You can play a game after three weeks on holiday but we spent two weeks on the sofa doing nothing much. That is why the players are not fully fit. ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola: Man City players not ready for hectic Premier League schedule “But that is why we have to finish the season. We have to limit the economic damage to the clubs. The way we are right now, I think other clubs and teams [as well], we don't know. If you ask me how the team is, I don't know,” Guardiola said in the press conference. Advantage, Man City? Talking about the fixture, Man City have won six straight competitive matches against the Gunners while scoring three goals in five of those six games. Before the league was put on a hold, Man City had won four of their five Premier League home games including a draw. Whereas Arsenal trail the Champions League spot by eight points but an unbeaten run in the last eight Premier League games will give them an upbeat chance to upset the rusty Blues. With a lot to play for in the season, both the teams would be wanting to get back to full fitness as soon as possible and could treat the match as a stepping stone for the rest of the season. Win, is an absolute necessity for both which makes the contest a promising affair. ALSO READ: Arteta ready for challenge of Premier League relaunch New Atmosphere: No Atmosphere "When I was at the Emirates and there was no crowd, you cannot feel that energy, push or drive," Arteta told reporters in a video press conference on Monday. "The game is different. The intensity drops a little bit. That urgency from the crowd doesn't exist anymore, how passionate the crowds are in England. We have to adapt. "We have to experience it. We have to find ways to motivate our players as well in moments." The star-studded affair will feature the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, David Silva and many others and the match will come as a massive sigh of relief for Premier League fans.

Man City vs Arsenal Preview: A battle between the master and apprentice

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Man City vs Arsenal Preview: A battle between the master and apprentice