Arsenal handed dream title boost with perfect Man City fixture after 115 charges verdict

Arsenal will be delighted with Anfield playing host to Manchester City's first game following the reported guilty verdict concerning 114 of their 115 alleged financial breaches

As the dust settles following the bombshell that Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty on 114 of their 115 alleged financial breaches, what becomes clear is that Arsenal have the floor in the title race. Not only that, but if you could think up what would be the worst fixture for City to play following this development, Anfield away no doubt would be among the favourites.

For Arsenal, who host a Leeds United side they scored five against at the Emirates Stadium last season, they will be smiling with glee to watch City make the short trip to Merseyside. Jurgen Klopp’s then Liverpool team were City’s main rival for the Premier League title during those years, and after that, they are alleged to have breached financial regulations.

City deny the charges, and an appeal process is believed to be ongoing at present. While there is no word on any specific sanctions or ramifications, the game will play on regardless.

A clip went viral online after Norway’s clash with Portugal, with Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias having a chat. It is unknown what they discussed, but people were quick to make guesses. No prizes for what the hypotheses were.

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In England’s 3-2 defeat by Spain, both City defenders, Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi, made uncharacteristic mistakes that led to goals and cost the Three Lions victory on the night. Many posited that the charges might, in some way, affect the player’s performance, with their focus impacted by the controversy.

Certainly, it is expected there to be reactions from the stands with the away trips for City becoming even more hostile than normal. But of all grounds, for it to be Anfield to be the place where City will kick off what is in effect a new era, post the reported guilty verdict, is simply perfect for Arsenal.

Not even at the Emirates itself would have been a better venue. City will visit North London and face Arsenal at the end of November.

Arsenal have got more motivation than they will ever need, as do each and every opponent for the foreseeable future, unless an appeal is successful.