This weeks View From The Enemy comes direct from the official Man City website, and they outline exactly how they expect Arsene Wenger to set the team up and who are our most dangerous players….
Manchester City will look to continue their unbeaten run this weekend when Arsenal visit the Etihad.
City have played 16 matches in all competitions, winning 15 and drawing one, scoring a remarkable 49 goals in the process.
City are five points clear at the top of the table, with Arsenal currently back in fifth, nine points behind the Blues.
So, what can we expect from Arsene Wenger’s side on Sunday?
Formation
Arsenal have played three at the back throughout the campaign, a tactic they first used at the backend of last season to good effect.
Hector Bellerin and the impressive Sead Kolasinac provide pace and width ahead of the back three, with Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka in the centre. One criticism of Arsenal they lack defensive steel in midfield, an area City will look to exploit. Wenger could bring in Mohamed Elneny or Francis Coquelin to add an extra layer of cover.
Ramsey, though, is excellent at supplementing their attack, which in recent weeks has looked difficult to play against. Alexis Sanchez, Mezut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette are beginning to develop a real understanding and they will give defences problems for the remainder of the season. City will need to be at their best defensively to keep them quiet.
Possible XI (3-4-2-1): Cech; Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Kolasinac; Ozil, Alexis; Lacazette
Form
After a difficult start that saw them win just two of their first five in the Premier League, Arsenal’s form has stabilised in recent weeks. They’ve won four of their last five, scoring 11 goals along the way, including five ay Goodison Park as they ripped Everton apart a fortnight ago.
Style
Arsenal are committed to playing an open, attacking style, which means we can expect another entertaining match at the Etihad.
They are second only to City in terms of the number of passes they’ve completed this term (6,290 to City’s 7,300), as well as the number of touches they have taken (8,136 to City’s 9,102).
Both teams want to entertain and score goals.
Players to watch
Nacho Monreal has impressed this season – but Arsenal’s strength is going forward, with Alexis Sanchez their most potent weapon.
Ozil is a fine passer who can create chances at will, and Lacazette has brought new dynamism to their forward line.
Come on Arsenal
This weekend is for away teams. We are getting something out of this match.
If I say we are going to win don’t say am dreaming am just a supporter. But one can realize his dreams. Am not scared.
Looks like Burnley game could be a 6 pointer
#inArsenewetrust
Arsenal will definitely lose to Man City tomorrow , I’m just worried that they don’t put 8-10 in our net that’s all.
If we can nick a goal or two within the first 15 mins then we’ll beat them else we’ll get hammered.
Ozil and Ramsey lose possession easily, so we cant afford to have that. We need pace to beat City. So, I would prefer Walcott and Elnerny in places of Ozil and Ramsey
LACAZETTE has done OK.. Since we signed him but I think he has to prove to us fan that he’s worth the huge amount Arsenal paid to bring him to the Emirates by scoring against City today
Coq has to play – particularly with slow Mertesacker behind. Sacrifice Xhaka.
I know Wenger (and most fans) would never go for it-
But I’d play Wiltshire and Coq in midfield. Gives us more muscle, better protection.
Play Ramsey further forward instead of Ozil. Gives us more pace, and defend from the front tactic which is best tactic against City
If we play with Xaka, Ozil, Mertesacker City could rip us apart