Arsenal vs Manchester City: Who should start for the Gunners? by SE

Arsenal face a stiff home test when the defending Premier League champions visit Emirates stadium this Saturday afternoon, as both sides look to get back to winning ways after a not-so-impressive start to their respective campaigns. However, the task might not be as easy as a Sunday morning stroll in the park, as both sides are plagued by injuries to some key personnel. As far as Arsenal are concerned, how should they line up against a strong Manchester City side?

Big Team News
Ramsey faces a late fitness test to monitor the extent of what Wenger proclaimed as an ‘ankle sprain’, as the Welshman vows to feature for Arsenal against the Citizens.

Mikel Arteta, Kieran Gibbs and Mesut Ozil – the other feared injury casualties – are all cleared ‘fit’ for this heavyweight Premier League encounter.

What should be Arsenal’s starting XI against Manchester City?

The back four picks itself literally. Koscielny has recovered from the head injury he suffered in Arsenal’s last Premier League fixture and, apart from the Frenchman, the trio of Debuchy, Mertesacker and Monreal should retain their places from the Leicester game. Kieran Gibbs is fit, indeed, but Monreal deserves to keep his place on the basis of his performances.

Coming to Arsenal’s engine room, Ramsey’s prospective absence could be seen as an opportunity for Wilshere to come in and show what he can do but, it’s a tough choice, if I was Wenger. Wilshere is an Arsenal prodigy, and there’s nothing wrong with giving him a chance. However, Ozil is an indispensable component to this Arsenal machine, which badly wants the German firing on all cylinders sooner rather than later. Playing on the wings isn’t his forte, and Arsenal miss that magical figure in him, as and when he plays wide on the right or left; so I’d use the Welshman’s absence to play Ozil centrally and, thereby, get the best out of him. Cazorla, like Monreal, deserves to keep his spot. At No.4, should Wenger go for Arteta who is back fit or, does he continue with Flamini? It is a no brainer that Arteta comes straight in when he is fit, and it shouldn’t be any different for this game.

Up front, Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez are certainties to start for Arsenal but, with Ozil shifting to that central position, alongside Cazorla, who plays on the flank opposite to Sanchez’s? Chamberlain has been particularly impressive, and there’s always a question mark over Man City’s defence when someone starts running at them. The Englishman deserves his chance, and Ramsey’s pain would be Chamberlain’s gain. Wenger has to load Arsenal’s frontline with intimidating pace, and probe Man City’s defensive robustness.

So here’s how I think Arsenal should lineup against Manchester City, Formation – 4-3-3:

Wojciech Szczesny (GK), Mikel Arteta (C), Mathieu Debuchy, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Mesut Ozil, Santiago Cazorla, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez.

Final Thought
Arsenal, being the home side, will have to win. And, the aforementioned line up gives them a good chance of doing so

1 thought on “The Arsenal starting XI to face and BEAT Man City today

  1. Well it’s a good team selection – almost the best we have. But my fear is City will wipe the floor with Wenger tactically. I think they will pack the centre of the field, pressure us out of space to work. Beat us in 50/50 battles. Then pour down the flanks (especially their right) at out unprotected full backs – who may be absent, caught up field anyway. It would be entirely normal for Wenger’s style to be good at passing when in possession but poor when the other team has the ball. I do hope I am wrong.

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