Team News:
Goalkeeping Conundrum: It is perhaps time to give England number Joe Hart a game in a clash where he just might show his mettle coming up against the feisty Gunners. Costel Pantilimon is expected to be under the sticks manning the goal for the home side, but this is a clash in which Pellegrini can ill afford to make a mistake.
Defence: As Rafa Benitez’s tactics showed in Naples, Arsenal can be very well stretched at their backline, I expect Pellegrini to field Kolarov and Zabaleta higher up the field and advise them to got toe to toe against the opposing link up men in the wide to terrorise the Arsenal Defence. In the heart of the defence Vincent Kompany will perhaps be fielded with Argentine Martin Demichelis to control Arsenal’s attacking prowess.
Midfield: Saturday’s match promises to be an absolute stellar of an encounter, given both side’s enviable midfield in the middle of the park. City will start with the heavyweights Yaya Toure and Fernandiho as the double pivot with David Silva and James Milner as the two link up wide men. While Silva lasted for seventy minutes in Germany, James Milner has more than a case for himself like Samir Nasri to warrant a staring eleven spot. As the game goes on, maybe Jesus Navas will be called on by Pellegrini, if in order to give Arsenal’s defence something different to offer.
Striking Partnership: It takes two to tango, doesn’t it? City’s best chance to beat Arsenal will be to employ both Aguero and Negredo up front against the likes of Mertesacker and Koscielny. While Aguero’s finishing has been top notch, Negredo has also shown he is no pushover either.
Going for predictions and current form, I expect City to recover faster than Arsenal, both of whom had long travels in midweek. Arsenal’s defence have looked wobbly at times, while City after beating Bayern are on cloud nine, so I have a case for myself if I go for a 3-1 City win come Saturday.
