Arsenal might have lost their ‘top four’ status last season and they are quite unlikely to reclaim the same this term, but the Gunners have performed splendidly in domestic cup competitions in recent years and would be confident of continuing that when they encounter the mighty Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday evening in the prestigious League Cup final.
The Gunners always had fitness concerns but have improved drastically this season and do not have a long list of injuries. The North Londoners, however, will be without Alexandre Lacazette who is ruled out following a knee injury along with veteran Santi Cazorla, who continues to miss out due to an unfortunate heel injury.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is unavailable for selection as he is cup-tied. However, both Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey will go through a late fitness test and are likely to be available for the mega clash.
Arsene Wenger started the season with a ‘back three’ but later switched to a four-man backline and has experimented with various setups like 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-2-1 etc. It’s difficult to predict what Wenger has planned for the ultimate showdown, but the Gunners, however, are likely to be fielded in a 4-2-3-1 formation on Sunday evening.
The veteran custodian has put in some erroneous displays this season but his experience will be massive in such games where his leadership traits will help the Gunners.
Has struggled defensively but registered himself as a first-team regular mostly due to his attacking ability and creating chances from the flanks.
The veteran Frenchman will have a tough job ahead on Sunday evening where he will be leading his backline against the lethal attacking force of Manchester City.
The German centre-back has been largely inconsistent but has not put a foot wrong in recent weeks and will be hoping to deliver a steady performance at the Wembley on Sunday evening.
Monreal, predominantly a left-back, has been in the news for his bizarre goalscoring run. The veteran Spaniard will be happy to add more against the Cityzens in the League Cup final and win a silverware for his side.
The Swiss international has not managed to live up to the expectations yet. The Gunners, however, do not have many options in a similar role and Xhaka is likely to be fielded in a deeper midfield slot.
The Egyptian has mostly been a sporadic first-team player but is having a run of games in the absence of an injured Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman is a doubt for the final and Elneny will thus have a huge role to play in the Gunners’ midfield on Sunday.
The German sensation has committed his future by signing a long-term contract and must step up on the occasion that matters the most in Arsenal’s probable season-defining encounter.
The Englishman has defied the odds and has reclaimed a place in Wenger’s plans. He is likely to start the game on Sunday evening and motivate his side to go for glory.
The youngster has been a frequent starter under Arsene Wenger and might be handed a job to fill the void left by Alexis Sanchez in the Gunners’ attack.
The high-profile ex-Borussia Dortmund star will be the most lethal weapon in the Arsenal attack. This is his biggest game in Gunners colours since completing a club-record winter move from the Bundesliga big boys.
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