MAN CITY v Arsenal – ADEBAYOR To Score The Winner?
23 Oct
Apologies for the tardiness and relative brevity of this preview, but unfortunately, time restraints prohibit me from detailing the extent of my thoughts. Suffice to say, this is a hugely important game and has all the makings of a classic. Two sides who like to entertain, both containing players of superb skill and ability, and both challenging in the upper echelons of the Premier League.
City’s recent form has been nothing short of impressive, with the Blues having been victorious in their past four games, including the comfortable midweek win over Lech Poznan in the Europa League. Following on from that match, in which the likes of Vincent Kompany and Carlos Tévez were rested, my good friend Roberto Mancini is expected to make a number of changes for the visit of perennial underachievers, Arsenal.
In defence, Jérome Boateng and the afore-mentioned Kompany will return, whilst the likes of Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards and the versatile Pablo Zabaleta are all competing for starting places. Much depends on the fitness of former Arsenal defender, Kolo Touré, and his possible recovery from a hamstring injury.
Ivorian powerhouse Yaya Touré should return, as should Gareth Barry and James Milner, meaning that Adam Johnson and Patrick Vieira, despite both producing impressive performances during the week, will drop to the bench. However, the most intriguing selection dilemma involves Togo striker and former Gunner, Emmanuel Adebayor.
After an underwhelming start to this campaign, Adebayor has started the last two matches and repaid his manager’s faith with a scintillating hat-trick in midweek, strengthening his claims for a starting place on Sunday. He is sure to be fired up against his previous employers, but if selected, he will need to harness that passion and emotion in the correct way, as opposed to his foolish, and as a result, infamous, celebration against them last season.
This is the side that Mancini is expected to select.
Hart
Boateng K. Touré Kompany Bridge
Y. Touré de Jong Barry
Milner Silva
Tévez
Subs: Given, Richards, Zabaleta, Lescott, A. Johnson, Balotelli, Adebayor
The visitors have a number of injuries to contend with, especially in defensive positions. Belgain Thomas Vermaelen is sidelined, along with central defensive partner Laurent Koscielny, whilst Bacary Sagna has only just returned and may lack match fitness. They do, however, possess extreme quality further up the field, notably the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Andrey Ashavin and Samir Nasri, so City’s defence will have to be at the top of their game.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg – I have always rated the referee from County Durham, but he does have his ‘moments’. Let’s hope he has one of his better days at the weekend.
Prediction: MAN CITY 3 – 2 Arsenal – I really believe this will be a highly entertaining affair, with City to nick the win by the odd goal in five. Goals to be scored by Carlos Tévez, David Silva and Emmanuel Adebayor for the Blues, with replies from Maroune Chamakh and Samir Nasri for the visitors.
I feel the use of the phrase ‘upper echelons’ is becoming over-used. I scarcely read these blogs yet I notice it on numerous occasions. Also, whenever I look at your facebook profile picture thumbnail, I always have to do a double-take to check its not Mr Simpson and it is in fact ‘your good friend’ Roberto Mancini.
Have fun at the game tomorrow!
Hello
Incase your mother reads this, just to clarify, I am Matt Jones!!!!
Another incisive blog Steven, nothing short of what I have grown to expect, even with time constraints
I think you might get your team spot on for once which would be a first surely?!
I am however disappointed….you didnt get my requested word in this blog, so I am expecting the word ‘iota’ to be stuck into your review
I think, like you say it will be a highly entertaining game – we looked good going forward against Lech and Ade could have scored 6 himself. Arsenal, however, also looked very threatening going forward against Shaktar, and that is a danger, especially if Lescott plays at left back. Hopefully your good friend Mancini shall stick with Zabaleta at left back as he is probably the best one we have, and at least he gets stuck in!
I am rooting for a win, but my heart says 2-2 with my scorers as Tevez, Milner, Fabregas and Nasri for the time being. I think a bet on Squillaci to score the first though is well worth a shot at 33/1!!!!! Hahaha
I had a fantastic time with you today, many thanks for making the effort Steven
I’ll drop you a text at the game tomorrow. Take care and enjoy it x
There is one thing that stands out in this article….
That scarf that Mancini is wearing. In all honesty, i preferred the other one.
I shall keep my rants about accusations aside.
Adebayor should not be let off the training pitch simple as… He scored 3 on Thursday against a mediocre defence and, by all accounts, he could and maybe should have scored a whole lot more. He is not good enough. Arsenal must have been laughing when they sold him to us as we got a poor deal.
It is clear that, if he doesn’t play well with Tevez, he doesn’t play. Tevez is one of the best strikers in the world and, to be honest, keep him happy and don’t play Adebayor, and he will keep on scoring.
I cannot see it being as exciting as you think. I can see it being a repeat of the Blackpool game. On the back foot for ages but still graft out a result. 2-1 win for the Blues
Gooner here, completely agree with Ricky, tevez is the biggest danger man out there, if we somehow curbe him were in with a shot but not too sure how to given our frail back 4
I agree Akhil…interesting fact about Tevez. Your main issue is that you dont have your two starting centre backs.
Just a token comment from me today – got to finish an essay before kick-off!
I personally cannot wait for this match, I love watching arsenal play and I think it will bring out the best in city as well – especially Silva.
Arsenal will have slightly too much quality for us going forward in my opinion, and we’ll lose it 2-1.