MAN CITY v Arsenal – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
9 Aug
The Community Shield offers the first chance of silverware in the new season, a battle between the Premier League and FA Cup winners from the previous campaign, but for all the supposed drama of a one-off cup encounter, in reality it is nothing more than a glorified pre-season friendly.
Ahead of the visit to Newcastle a week on Sunday, this match provides the final chance for players to build up meaningful fitness and to stake their claims for a place when the important action commences. And with a handful of City players who featured in the latter stages of the World Cup having returned late to Manchester, there is plenty of bidding to be done for a starting berth.
Willy Caballero has been brought in to provide stiffer competition for Joe Hart, but he is expected to start on the bench with England’s goalkeeper getting the nod from Manuel Pellegrini. Due to the extended rest period for Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis, the back four will take on a slightly unfamiliar look on Sunday, with Gael Clichy likely to start on the right, a role he has operated in during a number of friendlies, and a central defensive pairing of Dedryck Boyata and Matija Nastasic.
Fernando will occupy his holding midfield position, trying to add security in front of the defence, with Yaya Touré pushing forward alongside him. Jesus Navas and Samir Nasri should start in wider areas, leaving David Silva on the bench but likely to be given a decent run-out after the break. In attacking areas, Stevan Jovetic has been splendid in pre-season, impressing with his inventiveness on the ball and sharp movement, and he will line up next to Edin Dzeko. Alvaro Negredo remains on the sidelines with injury and Sergio Aguero has only just returned to training.
Here is the side Pellegrini could select:
Referee: Michael Oliver.
Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 2 Arsenal – These sorts of fixtures are notoriously difficult to predict, but with both sides far better moving forward than they are at the back, especially with City missing three-quarters of their first-choice back four, it could well be an entertaining affair with plenty of chances and attractive football. I’ll go for goals from Stevan Jovetic, Samir Nasri, Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey. And judging by City’s record in penalty shootouts over the past couple of weeks, Arsenal would take the trophy!
Boyata’s never a City player. I’ll be gutted if I turn up tomorrow and they play that team
I totally agree. Boyata is nowhere near the standard required and never will be.
Boyata`s a liability and should be kept as far away from the 1st team as possible. Rekik should start every time before him period.
Which ever team we put out we will be too good for the Arse. Also don’t think Joe will be between the sticks.
The result is going to be in favour of mancity but boyata should not start the match to avoid causing damages at the back.