My predicted line up for Arsenal vs Man City
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad will travel to Manchester to face off against Manchester City at The Etihad in what could be a make-or-break game for us this season. Arteta has never been able to get a win at The Etihad, but he will be looking to change that, and with a lot of City injuries, it could definitely be our day in the sun. Arteta will no doubt put a strong line up on and with a lot of players due back from injury, we could see some players back in action. Here’s how I think he will line his squad up for the big game.
In goal, David Raya. Raya is in great form recently and has had a good season with us. After a solid performance against Porto FC I think that he will be filled with confidence and ready to go. He could be the difference between us winning and losing and hopefully he puts on a solid performance.
In defence, I expect a back four of Ben White, Gabriel, Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu. White didn’t go on international duty but I think he will be ready and raring to go, there’s been a lot spoken about him this week and I think he will have something to prove. Tomiyasu has been out of contention for a while and we could see Kiwior start but I think Arteta will go with experience in such a big game and Tomiyasu has plenty of that, and of course Saliba and Gabriel at centre back and solid as usual.
In the midfield, I expect a three of Martin Odegaard, Jorginho and Declan Rice. For me, Jorginho brings a lot of stability to the midfield and facing a team like City who love to play through the middle, Jorginho makes the most sense to me. Rice and Odegaard are almost must haves in every game lately, they’re in great form and bring a lot of quality to our midfield.
In attack, I expect a front three of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard. Saka is another player who feels like a must starter but with him coming back from England duty, it does leave questions, but I do still think he will start. Havertz I think starts up top, he’s been in incredible form for both club and country this year and I think he’s probably the best option to help bring goals and quality to the front line. Jesus is unlikely to be risked as a starter having only just returned from a long lay-off, so Trossard will no doubt start on the left wing, Martinelli is still injured and he’s the most logical and best option and will no doubt do some damage.
So that’s a 4-3-3 formation of
Raya
White – Saliba – Gabriel – Tomiyasu
Odegaard – Jorginho – Rice
Saka – Havertz – Trossard
A massive game that is almost a must win for us and hopefully we set up strong and set up well tactically.
What’s your thoughts Gooners?
Daisy Mae
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named in Arteta’s standard 4-3-3 formation
——- Raya ——-
White —- Saliba —- Gabriel —- Kiwior
Odegaard —– Jorginho —– Rice
Sake —– Havertz —– Marinelli (if injured, Trossard)
tactically, out of possession, expect the high-press box-midfield of Odegaard / Havertz pairing in front of Jorginho / Rice that was so successful against Liverpool, Newcastle and Man C earlier this season
that is Odegaard / Havertz as a pair #10’s and Jorginho / Rice a pair of #6’s
in possession we can pour forward at pace, especially should Stones and Walker not play (they still might, Pep bluff), Martinelli pace advantage and with Rice pushing in to the box and Odegaard creator in chief, we have too many options for Man C to cover
but it is Arsenal defence that will have a bigger impact, that defence starting with Odegaard and Havertz high-press stilfling midfield, denying KDB possession, starving Haarland of chances
if City score early and this game becomes a shoot-out then I don’t see Arsenal scoring 3 goals plus, and so a Man C victory
this is not a ‘must win’, whatever the result still 9 games to go and plenty that can happen
obvious a victory is preferred, and will put us in strong position, but lose and we are still in it, draw and nothing changes which I am sure both managers would take right now
To bring in Tomi for his first start for some time after injury, at a time when our back four has been consistently solid, would be mad.Thankfully Arteta is highly unlikely to disturb a unit which is working well ,and while White and Kwior are likely to face tough challenges against Dohku and Foden they are up to the task.With regard to Trossard, I suspect Jesus may start on the left if Martinelli is not fit, as he will be out to prove a point against his former boss and can ,on his day, be a match winner.That said, I would not be averse to Trossard starting on the left where he can provide an extra layer of defence to support Rice if necessary.
I much agree Grandad, esp about not bringing back an obviously rusty Tomi, top player though he is.
I much hope MARTINELLI starts though, as he has not been out long enough to be rusty. Plus his sheer pace , with Walker missing, wil be a big advantage. If he is out though, I too would start with Jesus on right wing and possibly bring on Trossard in second half.
Jesus on left wing, I meant!
Definitely agree that Tomi starting would be a big surprise. Kiwior has been solid
———–‘————Raya
White—–Saliba—–Magahlase–Kiwoir
————–Jorghino —-Rice
Jesús——‘—-Odegaard——-Saka
——————–Havertz
This 4 2 3 1 line up should do the trick, 2 – 1 when the dust settles
Great
Can you please explain your reason for starting Tomi against the best team in the league
U watched the same happen last season where Arteta used him against Man City when he just got back from injury and he made a mistake that led to a goal
So I want that to happen again ?
If the opponent was Burnley, Sheffield etc FINE
It would be a mistake to start a rusty player against even Tottenham talk less of Man City