Following a disappointing draw with Benfica in the Europa League, Arsenal brace themselves for yet another difficult test as they lock horns with Manchester City on Sunday. The Sky Blues are in dream form at the moment, having secured 17 consecutive wins in all competitions, so it will be an uphill task for the Gunners to salvage anything from this game.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup Vs Manchester City
Defence
Kieran Tierney made his welcome return to the pitch against Benfica, albeit as a substitute. It remains likely that Mikel Arteta would want to continue with Cedric Soares at left-back, though, given the fact that the Portuguese international has been doing well. It should buy Tierney some additional time to get back into full fitness.
Elsewhere, Hector Bellerin should continue at right-back while Arteta could also persist with the central defensive combination of Gabriel Magalhaes and David Luiz. It could be the start of Rob Holding’s steady downward trajectory from now till the end of the season, with Arsenal also having Pablo Mari as a potential alternative.
Bernd Leno, meanwhile, should retain his place in between the sticks ahead of new signings Mat Ryan and Runar Alex Runarsson. The German is hoping for a welcome clean sheet, though that is unlikely against Man City.
Midfield
Thomas Partey remains an absentee for Arsenal this weekend as the midfielder continues to battle his fitness issues. Dani Ceballos has done well in his stead. so Mikel Arteta will have no problems persisting with the Spaniard.
His ability to thread forward passes could be useful against a Man City defence that can be caught on the break. However, it is imperative that Ceballos receives proper support from his midfield partner in Granit Xhaka this weekend.
Attack
Things get a little interesting in the offensive unit, where Arteta has chosen to ignore the option of Alexandre Lacazette in the last two matches.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a frustrating game against Benfica, notably missing a glorious scoring opportunity. But having scored a hat-trick against Leeds United, he is likely to continue in the number nine role.
One can also imagine Martin Odegaard to retain his place in the number ten position as well, with the Norwegian starting to provide some useful creativity in the final third. He should thus form Arsenal’s creative trifecta alongside Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
Arteta does have excellent alternatives in Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli while Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are all able replacements for Aubameyang.
