Manchester City
As Arsenal meet Manchester City, we look at the possible lineups for both the teams in the curtain raiser of English football. Manuel Pellegrini would be without more than 8 players for this match, as his Argentine contingent as well as captain Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho, Lampard and Sagna are regaining match fitness after their holiday. Striker Alvaro Negredo would miss the match and a few months due to injury suffered in the preseason which would provide an opportunity to Dzeko and Jovetic to work together. New men Willy Caballero and Fernando could vouch for the starting spot for goalkeeper and defensive midfield.
All the players that arrive this Monday, (Martin) Demichelis. VincentKompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Sagna, Fernandinho, Lampard and (Sergio)Aguero, they have a special preseason this week and next week. … (Alvaro) Negredo has at least two or three months that he won’t play. He is coming to Carrington again and he is working on different things, is what Pellegrini said about his team.
However, it should be Joe Hart to start as goalie as Manuel Pellegrini would have more confidence on his English star than the Former Malaga keeper. And at the back Micah Richards could play alongside Nastasic, Boyata and Kolarov.
In midfield, it should be the man mountains Yaya Toure and Fernando to form the double pivot while Nasri and either one of the Spanish contingent Navas or Silva could complete the midfield four, leaving Dzeko and Jovetic the space to partner upfront.
Arsenal
Arsenal would be without their World Champions Germans Mertesacker, Özil and Podolski. They are likely to start with youngster Calum Chambers at central defense while another new signing Mathieu Debuchy will start at right back. For the left back spot, English man Keiran Gibbs should be given the nod ahead of Nacho Monreal. Last year’s Golden Glove winner Wojciech Szczesny should start ahead of David Ospina, who is yet to regain his full fitness.
The lack of new signings for the defensive midfield position means that it opens space for Flamini, Arteta & Wilshere to fight for a starting berth along side Aaron Ramsey.
Marquee man Alexis Sanchez is likely to play his first competitive game for the Gunners, who should be joined by Santi Cazorla in the number 10 role and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain on the left side.
While for the striking role, Giroud’s fitness would be assessed by Wenger as the French International suffered match fitness in the Emirates cup and was withdrawn during half time. This may present the opportunity for fellow Frenchman Yaya Sanogo or returning loanee Joel Campbell.
Arsenal & Man City Predicted lineups:
Man City: Hart; Richards, Boyata, Nastasic, Kolarov; Fernando, Touré, Nasri, Silva; Jovetic, Dzeko
Arsenal: Szczesny; Debuchy, Chambers, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey, Oxlade Chamberlain, Cazorla, Alexis; Campbell.
Predicted Scoreline: Man City 2-2 Arsenal
