The Gunners visit current champions Man City at the Etihad Stadium where a big performance is required. Although the win against Chelsea in late January was at home, Arsenal need another ninety like that if they are to get anything from Pep's Citizens. Emery's men will need to be patient, hardworking, organised and above anything else, up for it. So many times in the Wenger reign, often against the league's big boys, Arsenal would crumble and concede 4s, 5s and even 6s. We saw something similar earlier on this season against Liverpool at Anfield. This time in Manchester, the Gunners need to be up for the fight.
Laurent Koscielny returned to full training this week after a facial injury and is expected to be fit to start this one. With City being so penetrative in all areas of the park, Emery may be tempted to deploy a back three with wing backs in front. Maitland-Niles would be right wing back in a three or right back in a flat four but there are question marks over the young Englishman's fitness, as he's being assessed ahead of the game. The left side is more confirmed with both Monreal and Kolasinac fit and ready to go. Monreal is likely to be the left side of a three should Emery go with that formation. As much as I'd like to see the same 4-3-1-2 that played Chelsea off the park only a few weeks ago, a back three could be the safer option away at City. Emery certainly may think so.
In midfield, there is now an abundance of options with new addition Denis Suarez being available to play. It is highly unlikely he'll start as a Thursday afternoon arrival left him with only two training sessions with the team. Granit Xhaka is likely to start alongside Lucas Torreira in central areas, with wing backs occupying the flanks. In front, Ramsey or Ozil will play behind Aubameyang and Lacazette in a true two-man strike force. The pair have been full of work as a minimum of late, if not fit and firing on all cylinders. Their relationship is like nothing we've had in years. Bergkamp and Henry is as recent as it gets for a true partnership, and Aubameyang and Lacazette have shown that they too are a fantastic duo. The combination of pace, movement, forward running, unselfishness and most importantly, finishing prowess is causing a number of issues for all oppositions. Let's hope it's more of the same and Kompany, Stones and co find themselves under as much pressure as Rudiger and Luiz did just a few weeks ago. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also being assessed ahead of the game as he's back in training as of this week. It is likely to come to soon in his recovery for a start, and with Suarez now among the ranks and Emery looking to assemble a balanced bench, the Armenian could miss out altogether.
After being brushed aside by Pep's men in the first fixture of this season back in August, Emery has since had six months to instill his methods among his players. The team still lack an identity at times and his tinkering doesn't always help but results and performance have shown that there is a good improvement since that game back in August last year. Looking slightly out of touch themselves now too, City fell short against a dogged Newcastle team last time out, and Arsenal will be craving for more of the same. There are areas where City can be found out; Fernandinho if off colour is an area to exploit, much like Newcastle did during the midweek fixture. Overplaying has been evident throughout Arsenal's defence this season but City too like to pass it about - sometimes too much. Their defence do always look extremely comfortable on the ball but complacency can sometimes kick in. There are rumoured doubts over keeper Ederson, whilst left back Ben Mendy is still returning to full fitness so he too is a doubt. Up top, Aguero always scores against the Gunners, he just has that knack. And if he's out of touch, then the in form Gabriel Jesus can come in and threaten. City have an abundance of options throughout the midfield and wide areas with names like Silva, Silva, de Bruyne, Sane, Gundogan and Mahrez often competing for three or four starting spots. Whoever plays is a talented player, regardless of formation.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
CB: Laurent Koscielney
CB: Nacho Monreal
RWB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Lucas Torreira
LWB: Sead Kolasinac
LWB: Sead Kolasinac
CAM: Aaron Ramsey
ST: Alex Lacazette
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: A score draw. Make no mistake, it will be very tough. Forget City's last result, as Pep will have them purring so Arsenal will have to be at their absolute best to get anything from this game. Aubameyang will score again to carry on his good personal form.
Comments
Post a Comment