Will it be a repeat of the semi-finals for our boys?
Saturday is a big game for our boys, we come face to face against Manchester City in what will be another test of our squad depth and ability.
Last time we played City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley it was a game we dominated and did so well in, a game where Arteta from the student, became the teacher, outclassing Guardiola and leading our boys to a 2-1 win to help lead us in to the finals of the FA Cup.
The teams barring a few players are pretty much the same from back then and the only thing that has really changed is the mentality of the players. Morale at Arsenal seems rather high at the moment (touch wood), with key players joining and our skipper signing a contract extension to remain part of the family that has taken to him like a duck to water, everything seems positive right now.
We know we are capable of beating City, and if Arteta gets the tactics spot on like he did in the semi-finals then he will have got another one over his old master. Before we went into the international break, we were the better side, in terms of performances and racking up the points, whereas City struggled with inconsistency and even took a battering from Leicester. Forward on a few weeks and I am sure Guardiola will not want to continue how they ended, he will be out to show that his City side can still challenge this season, and I am sure he will also want to get some form of revenge over Arteta.
Let’s hope that Arteta, his tactics and our boys are too strong for Guardiola and City on the day, and that we have a similar, if not better, performance on Saturday then what we did at Wembley. Gooners?
Shenel Osman
Interesting matchup this one. City are wounded right now and we all know how dangerous they can be when they have a point to prove.
That said, they are missing de bruyne, jesus and aguero is only back in training now after a long injury. For once we are in a position where we arent scared to go to the top sides as we know Arteta will have them organised and prepared for a scrap. City are still a quality side though, and we will have to be at our best to beat them. Looking forward to it.
The main problem of Arsenal is fear factor.
Some call it fear, some call it pragmatism
KDB is out…
Without their best player…I heave a sigh of relief.
Hopefully that will give Arteta confidence to adopt a more attacking approach
And wipe that brow, Winston 😀
If he’s really out, I mean if guardiola has confirmed that he won’t be playing, then a little bit of relief as this is not the first time City will pull this stunt especially with debruyne and sterling. Without debruyne, we stand a fair chance.
Confirmed on sky sports
It MUST be true then ! We all know Sky Sports never lie, dont we ! Dont we?
Let’s hope we take advantage of his absence, Kstix! It’s been such a long time coming – an away win…..blah blah blah, I don’t need to spell it out, you know that horrible stat!! 🙈
😂😂😂 I can feel something different than the usual will happen tomorrow. I just confirmed too that KDB won’t feature tomorrow. Man City are no Liverpool with great wing backs to supply the forwards, even if Aguero plays, City is ultimately weaker without KDB, I’ve studied them with and without him. They rely on him alot to create chances the way Liverpool rely on their wingbacks for supply and Mane to press and take chances in front. Liverpool always appears weaker without Mane too as KDB for man City. I think we’ll win tomorrow, I was bold about it when making my predictions. A 2-1 win. We either score the 2 goals first and they score 1 later or they score first and we reply with 2 goals. They’re still a worthy opponent though so fingers crossed eh… Hopefully the headline reads “student schools the teacher”.
Yes, he’s their game-changer… it’s a massive blow for them..
Still going to be tough though… that last away win I was on about, all those years ago, well… err.. actually 5 (😂), was against them!
This game is huge!! Love that heading, Kstix 😉👍 Roll on…. finally, it’s match day!!
😂Yes Sue👍
Was it not 2-0 we beat City in the FA Cup semis? Article says 2-1.
Oh maxis are you not paying to much attention to details
speedy, FYI, we can NEVER pay too much attention to details as details tell us the full truth. Ignoring them is being sloppy and not caring about truth! If you ignore this detail how many others will you ignore, I have to wonder? I am a pro
I see. Tnx.
Reminder:
Serious competition
Playing them away
We’ve got no chance
2 factors for me will be if Tierney is aloud to play (not sure what the latest is )
And will he stick partey straight into the team ,my guess he won’t .
Where we have been grinding out result city have been hot and cold so it could go either way ,what I would love to see is maybe a more attacking formation and that depends on the 2 players I mentioned .
We are more than capable of beating City on a good day. Just as they are capable of beating us.
There’s no doubt without their first choice players City are at a slight disadvantage but they still have a strong bench to stand in.
It’s only playing against the best players that we can see where our team is and whether Arteta’s tactical brain is spot on or if he needs to work on his own game plan.
I am looking forward to this game.. alot!
I think its to early for TP to start, but he is match fit and been playing football to a high standard prior to his move to us, so it could be possible he is thrown in straight away, I just won’t be shocked if he doesn’t.
I think we can run out winners in this game, I’ll go for a 2-1 win for us tomorrow.
I don’t usually predict a score line but I am pretty optimistic about our chances tomorrow
Whoscored had us on a 2-1 win
Okay I’m off to bet my life’s savings on it . Lol
KDB may be out, but Arsenal still have a horrible inferiority complex especially in away games. Still have yet to beat a top 6 side away from home since 2015. That is an awful record. Can this mental block finally be overcome? Because player-wise I think we can stack up against this City team. It’s all about mentality, or it’ll be the same old story.
We defeated Wolves away during project restart last season, they are a top 6 side. Wakey wakey!
I meant the more traditional top 6. And also, just having one win against wolves is still awful
Even if KDB is out, they have players like Phil Phoden, Bernardo Silva and Rahim Sterling who can be ever dangerous. I think MA will be cautious, go with a 343 formation, see how it is going maybe till half time and than make tactical changes to go for a win. Do not forget City are free scoring so the Liverpool score line of 3-1 must not be repeated. Discretion is the better part of valour, we have to go for a win no doubt, but cautious optimism would be the name of the game.
Arteta is surely going to be judged according to how he approaches this game.
If he fields his usual matrix of players and layback 3-4-3 formations, then we stand absolutely no chance.
Remember the league is totally different to cup competitions where both clubs want to win and progress and preparation is only for the next match.
I have always said we have a squad capable of challenging, but our small team mentality and game approach has to drastically change in order to realise those dreams.