Predicted Arsenal Lineup To Face Manchester City
The Premier League is back in town this weekend and it has brought with it some crunch clashes for teams all around the points table. The race for the top-4 is certainly heating up and the top-6 teams in the competition cannot afford to drop points. However, that might indeed happen when Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City travel to the Emirates in what would be a season-defining match for both sides in the race to qualification for the UCL. The Gunners have been poor of late picking up just a couple of victories in their last 9 games in all competitions and a loss in this game can seriously dent their chances of a top-4 finish. They will be up against a Manchester City side who are in decent form at the moment. Both teams will go for the kill and they cannot afford to settle for anything less than 3 points.
Team News:
Arsene Wenger will be without playmaker Santi Cazorla for this game. Mathieu Debuchy is set to be back in training but isn’t match fit yet. Lucas Perez and Kieran Gibbs are doubtful for this tie while Petr Cech will remain the biggest absentee for Arsenal. Mesut Ozil is fit again and he played for Germany during the international break. He should be ready to go.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Manager: Arsene Wenger
Expected Starting XI:
GK – David Ospina
Ospina has not been in the best of forms recently but with Petr Cech out injured, he should deputise for him in front of goal.
RB – Hector Bellerin
The Spaniard enjoyed decent success in the international break and should be heading into this tie high on confidence.
CB – Laurent Koscielny
The French defender is one of the best in the league at the moment and he will be up against the likes of Sergio Aguero in this tie.
CB – Shkodran Mustafi
Having missed the first clash between the two with an injury, Mustafi will face Guardiola’s side for the first time and will be crucial for Arsenal.
LB – Nacho Monreal
Completing the back line should be Monreal who has been decent at the back for the Gunners this season. However, he has been exposed quite a few times this season, and he would have a difficult time against Sterling if he fails to stay on top of his game.
CM – Francis Coquelin
Wenger might prefer going in with a more tenacious option in Francis Coquelin and hence the Frenchman will start this game against Manchester City.
CM – Aaron Ramsey
With City not possessing too much aerial threat, Wenger will look to keep Ramsey alongside Coquelin to add some fluidity to the midfield.
RW – Theo Walcott
Having not been picked in the England squad by Gareth Southgate, Walcott will be determined to get back to his best with a sizzling performance against the Citizens.
CAM – Mesut Ozil
Having played for Germany during the international break, Ozil is expected to be fit for this clash and should start this game.
LW – Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean has been effective as a false-9 this season but Wenger might push him to the wing where he can test Bacary Sagna.
ST – Danny Welbeck
Manchester City have shown have been a little weak in the air and Welbeck should lead the line for Arsenal to try and take advantage of this weakness.