The forward line has to be sacrificed for the midfield.
It is only natural that Freddie Ljungberg would be tempted to go with the same front three that he selected against West Ham last Monday evening, however, I am of the opinion that he will go with a front two against Man City.
I have already covered the defence here and the midfield here and it is because I believe he will go with four in the midfield that he is forced to go with just the two upfront.
I suspect that Freddie will take a pragmatic approach against City and that the game will be decided in the middle of the park. Arsenal cannot allow City to gain total dominance in the midfield. If that happens then Pep Guardiola’s men will run riot.
The chances are that Gabriel Martinelli will be demoted to the subs bench and that Freddie will go with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe upfront.
Mesut Ozil will be the creative force from the midfield with Torreira, Guendouzi and Willock expected to battle it out with the City midfielders.
Against most other teams, especially at home, Freddie would most likely have gone with a front three but I just cannot see him doing that against City, it would be too fraught with risk.
Obviously Freddie could surprise us all and decide to be more attack-minded and take the attitude that Arsenal will outscore City. I just do not see that has a sensible proposition.
So. Aubameyang and Pepe in and Martinelli out. That is the forward line I expect Freddie to go with.
If Ljungberg wants to increase the number of midfielders, he could ditch the no 10 and keep the other three attackers
Man City will play with three central midfielders, hence we should at least start with three as well. Some wide formations with three midfielders are 4-1-4-1/ 4-3-3 or 3-5-2
Ozil = “Creative Force”?
😂😹😝😜😵😁👅🙏
Our defence is easy pickings
Sterling, De Silva, Bruyne, Aguero, Sane, Jesus will be salivating
___________Aubameyang
____Martinelli Lacazette Pepe
________Luiz Guendouzi
Kolasinac Chambers Sokratis AMN
_____________Leno
I like your choice twig, very much.
Aubameyang
Martinelli Lacazette Pepe
Guendouzi Torriera
Kolasinac Luiz Chambers AMN
Leno
One thing is very important. What ever formation we choose to play, we must NEVER allow ourselves to be pulled out of shape at any time. Attack or defence, our discipline and organisation as a team must be impeccable. That way, City will come against it tomorrow.
The boys must work their socks off for one another and keep their focus. That is something that City may find difficult to breach in 90 minutes. A lightening-quick counter attack, a razor-sharp incisive strike and the game is over for either side. So we need to watch out.
For me i would go 352, just because of injuries.
Leno
Luiz chambers Socrates
Amn Torreira Gouendouzi willock kolas
Pepe/Martinelli Aubameyang
Not my first choice at all but legs in midfield and speed up top to catch city out with quick balls from back to front and catch city’s defence out. We need workers not shirkers tomorrow