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.