Arsenal face Manchester City on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium in a game that, at the end of the season, could be remembered as the one that decided the title battle.
A significant victory this weekend is crucial for our Gunners’ chances of winning the league.
Mikel Arteta will need to field his strongest eleven. But I’d like us to concentrate on the attack he could field. Which forward line should he play? I believe he should field an attack featuring Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka.
Saka, if fit, is ‘undroppable’ on the right wing. Kai Havertz should start as a striker; he has been fantastic in recent weeks, spearheading the Arsenal attack with his fine link-up with Martin Odegaard. There’s a strong argument that the German international is more influential in attack than in midfield. He has scored four goals in his last six games for Arsenal, and dropping him from the attacking line would be scandalous. Gabriel Jesus, a left-winger, could be an excellent option if Gabriel Martinelli is out. Leandro Trossard is an excellent player, but he lacks the energy that Martinelli brings to the left wing. Jesus, who is recognised for his ability to spark Arsenal’s attack, might be an excellent left-wing alternative. As James Benge told Charles Watts on YouTube:
“If Martinelli’s fully fit he goes in my team. I don’t like normally talking about the sort of narratives about players being up for games, but I don’t believe that Gabriel Jesus wouldn’t be up for this game.
“I think he gives you so much work down the wings and through the middle, wherever he’s played, and that could be very, very valuable.
“I’m not saying Trossard doesn’t; I just think that Jesus, in this game, will run himself ragged, and I would really like to see that.”
With Gabriel Jesus eager to prove his worth against his old employers on the left wing, Havertz in the middle, and Bukayo Saka on the right, Arsenal should have a mesmerising attack against Manchester City to maintain their PL goal-scoring streak.
Daniel O
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Trossard Havertz Saka
Surely it will be Saka, Havertz and Trossard. Arteta is not going to tinker the lineup which has been so effective recently. Martinelli more effective in left wing but Trossard is more effective in goals, he has superb goal contribution in relation to time played. Martinelli will not be rushed in starting line up as he lacks match fitness. I expect both Jesus and Martinelli coming off the bench in second half. Regardless of front 3, Arteta also needs some dark art to win at any cost as losing any points in not an option here.
For us to beat City, there must be bite in the attack. With the absence of Martinelli and Saka, it will be wise to start Gabriel Jesus on the left to boost creativity. Nketiah at the center and Nelson on the right of attack. The midfield should comprise of Smith Rowe, Havertz and Rice. While attack minded Zinchenko, Magalhaes, Saliba and White ,man the back.
The trio of G Jesus, Havertz and Zinchenko will provided creativity, while the trio of Nketiah, Nelson in the attack and Smith Rowe in the attacking midfield will provide bite. This was exactly the formation against Sheffield United that saw Nketiah scoring hat trick in less than 58 munites!!
Man City will certainly fall if we use the above formations. Let Arteta not go to Etihad to look for much creativity as against Porto away where we failed.
Thank God you are not the coach!!
vamos Amos, that line up is a Promise of defeat
If Eddie and Reiss Nelson start this game we lose
You don’t watch any arsenal game?
Ummmmmm scratching my head on this line up
The Big German has to lead the line, from información received Jesus looks razor sharp in training.
I would have Saka and Jesus interchanging on the wings, while feeding off Havertz.
Tossard could come off the bench to ensure all the spoils stays in the bag
Havertz preferably, but whoever Mikel opts to start will do just fine.