Anxiety is running high among Nigerian Arsenal fans as they face off against reigning champions Manchester City in a Premier League title showdown at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
With the Gunners seeking to avoid a third consecutive league game without a victory and the Cityzens looking to knock them off their perch at the summit, the match is shaping up to be a mouth-watering top-of-the-table contest.
Despite hopes of winning their first Premier League title in nearly two decades, Arsenal have hit a rough patch lately, suffering a 1-0 defeat at Everton and a 1-1 draw at home to Brentford.
While the Gunners still lead the Premier League, their once-comfortable eight-point lead has shrunk to just three after dropping points in three of their last five games.
Moreover, they have not won any of their last 13 Premier League meetings with Manchester City and have lost all of their last 10 – a record losing streak against any opponent in their top-flight history.
A defeat against City would not be a total catastrophe for Arsenal, with 16 league matches still to come, but a victory on Wednesday would be a statement win and give Mikel Arteta's team a much-needed boost heading into a favorable run of seven successive fixtures against teams outside the top six.
Despite his hopes for an Arsenal win, Banjo Adeyosoye expressed doubts about the team's ability to overcome the visitors.
“I will go for a win but won’t be sad if we got a draw as long as we don’t lose the game.
“But it’s been long coming since we beat City in the league and second half of last season we almost did beat them but hopefully we can pull a rabbit outta the hat.”
Olawale added, “So, we will be facing (Erling) Haaland again in today’s match? God help us.”
Njoke Steve is, however, banking on the Gunners’ outstanding game regardless of the outcome of tonight’s encounter.
“We have a game in hand no matter what the outcome would be, we are still in control of the league,” he said.
Another Arsenal fan, Fred, is of the opinion that there is a conspiracy against the Gunners.
“This is what the FA wants, all pre-planned to make the league interesting!! So sad.”
Jelel Ahmed added, “Honestly, it feels almost unfair that a win will take City above Arsenal in the table, despite we all saying Arsenal have been electric and City haven’t been themselves. If City win on Wednesday, I think that’s it.”
Biodun Kalejaye said, “It’s going to be an interesting game but knowing Manchester City they’re probably going to win and that’s so unfair to my darling club.”
An optimistic Kenneth Terungwa added, “No one seems to be giving Arsenal a chance here, but we can sprig up a surprise.”
