Manchester City vs Arsenal
Date: Sunday 5th November
K.O: 14:15pm
Venue: The Etihad
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
Manchester City face their toughest home fixture of the season so far as Arsenal visit the Etihad on Sunday.
City have no fresh injuries but could look to rotate their squad, as Kyle Walker, David Silva and Gabriel Jesus push for recalls after playing little or no role in Napoli on Wednesday.
Arsenal will definitely rotate their team after their Europa League draw with Red Star Belgrade, their second string side failed to impress and few can expect to start against the in-form blues.
Embed from Getty ImagesArsene Wenger’s dilemma is likely to revolve around tactics rather than injury, as he must choose whether to play an expansive attacking lineup and risk stability, or to play a patient counter oriented eleven.
Pep Guardiola continues to have the Midas touch this season, his side’s 4-2 win against a very in-form Napoli showcasing his side’s resilience as well as attacking potency.
That victory exhibited everything about this season so far for City; Kevin De Bruyne running the show, goals from everywhere on the pitch and an occasional defensive lapse.
In Arsenal, they face a team who are nothing if not inconsistent. With a front three of Lacazette, Ozil and Sanchez, they possess an attacking force capable of unlocking any defence in the world.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat has hindered them has not been ability, but application. Ozil continues to baffle fans with displays suggesting he’d rather be anywhere but on the pitch, while Lacazette is still to hit the ground running and Sanchez is still not 100% after injury.
It remains to be seen whether Wenger will start all three on Sunday, but whoever does play will need to be at their best if the Gunners are to claim anything from this game. Last week’s goalscorer Sead Kolasinac will also be fit.
Predicted lineups:
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Delph, Fernandinho, D Bruyne, D Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Jesus
Arsenal: Cech, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette
Predicted Score: Manchester City 1 Arsenal 0
Written by Sam Hanys.
