After a two week break from domestic football, Arsenal host Manchester City on Saturday looking to avenge their 3-0 defeat back in November. This season Arsenal.com will be identifying the key battles for the game. We will bring you all the statistics and information a fan could need so swot up now and come Saturday you will be impressing anyone who will listen with your new-found knowledge.
Emmanuel Adebayor v Vincent Kompany
Fit-again Adebayor could be back in Arsène Wenger’s starting line-up after scoring for Togo last weekend. He looks set to face Vincent Kompany who has slotted in to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League with relative ease since joining in the summer. However, the Togolese striker, who has scored eight league goals this season, will be looking to make up for lost time after almost two months on the sidelines.
| Emmanuel Adebayor | Vincent Kompany | |
| Appearances | 22 | 27 |
| Minutes played | 1770 | 2424 |
| Assists | 7 | 0 |
| Clearances | 10 | 30 |
| Successful dribbles | 17 | 7 |
| Unsuccessful dribbles | 10 | 1 |
| Goals scored | 8 | 1 |
| Complete passes | 79 | 122 |
| Incomplete passes | 37 | 68 |
| Shots off target | 25 | 9 |
| Shots on target | 30 | 13 |
| Woodwork struck | 2 | 0 |
| Tackles lost | 16 | 18 |
| Tackles won | 3 | 31 |
Gael Clichy v Shaun Wright-Phillips
Clichy will have to be at his very best on Saturday when he faces Wright-Phillips who has made more successful dribbles than any player in either squad. Clichy, on the other hand, has by far the most completed passes of either squad. In addition he has made 15 completed tackles – but that is five less than Saturday’s opponent.
| Gael Clichy | Shaun Wright-Phillips | |
| Appearances | 30 |
25 |
| Minutes played | 2566 | 2245 |
| Assists | 0 | 5 |
| Unsuccessful crosses | 27 | 22 |
| Successful crosses | 4 | 2 |
| Unsuccessful dribbles | 12 | 20 |
| Successful dribbles | 14 | 28 |
| Goals scored | 1 | 5 |
| Complete passes | 147 | 113 |
| Incomplete passes | 86 | 76 |
| Shots off target | 2 | 24 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 34 |
| Tackles lost | 11 | 25 |
| Tackles won | 15 | 20 |
William Gallas v Robinho
Robinho’s work-rate has impressed as much as his outrageous talent this season with a total of 25 tackles, and three bookings, in his 24 appearances. He looks set to lock horns with William Gallas at Emirates Stadium after the Frenchman’s 180 minutes of football for France during the international break. Perhaps surprisingly, the 31-year-old trumps Robinho in the passing stakes with a 72 per cent completion record to the Brazilian’s 64.
| William Gallas | Robinho | |
| Appearances | 22 | 24 |
| Minutes played | 1980 | 2087 |
| Goals scored | 2 | 11 |
| Assists | 0 | 4 |
| Bookings | 3 | 3 |
| Successful dribbles | 6 | 24 |
| Unsuccessful dribbles | 2 | 12 |
| Incomplete passes | 34 | 59 |
| Complete passes | 89 | 105 |
| Shots blocked | 2 | 13 |
| Shots on target | 5 | 46 |
| Shots off target | 7 | 27 |
| Tackles lost | 7 | 15 |
| Tackles won | 13 | 10 |
