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.