There is some very good news on the team front for Arsenal fans today, but it does not concern anyone on the Gunners’ team sheet. It is the fact that our opponents Man City are without their talisman and best player Yaya Toure. And of course the new boy Danny Welbeck gets his debut at centre forward.
Even without that news, Arsene Wenger had promised that Arsenal were going to go all out for the win so this will only encourage the players to really take the game to the Premier League champions. And the injury to Aaron Ramsey which we feared would put the Welshman out of action for a while has turned out to be so minor that he starts today. I just hope that Wenger is not taking a risk with him.
Somewhat surprisingly, Jack Wilshere also starts and so does Mesut Ozil, so I assume that the German will be played out wide again with Jack in the number 10 position. A bit strange if you ask me, but let’s hope it pays off. Monreal’s recent good form means that he has kept his place with the recovered Kieran Gibbs on the bench.
Szczesny
Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal
Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere
Alexis, Welbeck, Ozil
subs : Ospina, Gibbs, Chambers, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Cazorla
A few surprises in the selection, for me anyway, but still a strong Arsenal side and hopefully enough to get us a much needed win. COYG