Pep Guardiola will have his first big test in his new adventure in the Premier League when they take on Arsenal in a pre-season friendly game, the last one, on Sunday at the Gothenburg’s Ullevi Stadium. The Gunners were relentless in their 8-0 victory over the Vikings in a pre-season friendly against the Vikings on Friday. The likes of Joel Campbell, Theo Walcott, Alex Iwobi and Chuba Akpom were all on the scoring sheet as they helped their side to a morale-boosting victory just over a week before the start of the Premier League season. City, on the other hand, are fresh from a 6-5 victory in a penalty shoot out against Borussia Dortmund a week ago.
Guardiola will be expected to field a strong XI with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne expected to start on the night. Ilkay Gundogan is currently injured and not a part of the squad for this match while Nolito and Oleksandr Zinchenko are also expected to play a role in the game. With this being the first chance to test his squad against an English opponent, it will be interesting as to the combinations he uses on the night. So let’s take a look at City’s predicted lineup to face Arsenal on Sunday:
Goal Keeper
Joe Hart
The undisputed number 1 for Manchester City next season, the England international will be given a chance to get back into the groove of the Premier League with an outing against Arsenal.
Defense
Aleksandar Kolarov
The Serbian international as one of the consistent players for City in the previous season and is expected to start most games for Guardiola at the club next season and will be given a chance against Arsenal in Sweden on Sunday.
Nicolas Otamendi
The Argentine showed some good form late last season and with Vincent Kompany still not available, it is expected that Otamendi will start in defense for Guardiola on the night.
Eliaquim Mangala
Though he didn’t find a place in the previous two games, Mangala, is arguably one of the better defenders in the Manchester City squad and though this is a friendly, Guardiola is expected to play his strongest starting XI that will include the French international.
Gael Clichy
Having played half of the game against Dortmund and managing to impress Pep, Clichy will be given a chance to further cement his place in the starting XI going into the next season.
Midfield
Fernandinho
Another of consistent players for the Citizens in the previous season, Fernandinho, who started for City in their previous game will be given more game time for this game against Arsenal.
Fabian Delph
Though not able to break through into the Manchester City squad last season, Delph seems to have impressed the new manager at the club and is set to start the game against Arsenal to prove himself before the start of the next season.
Jesus Navas
Another player who was decent in almost every outing last season, Jesus Navas, is a player who will suit Guardiola’s style of play, but he will have to impress the manager to get a start on a consistent basis once the season starts.
Kevin de Bruyne
Arguably the best impact player for City last season, Kevin de Bruyne, is one of the most important parts of Guardiola’s squad at the Etihad and he will be given a start to help himself get fit enough for the start of the season
Raheem Sterling:
The former Liverpool youngster will be excited to work under Guardiola for the next few years but he will have to prove himself fast to get a regular place in the first team in the next season.
Attack
Sergio Aguero
The Argentine striker came on in the second half against Borussia Dortmund and scored the first goal of the game that almost won them the tie. He looked sharp and in form and will be given the first bite of the cherry against Arsenal on Sunday.
