Arsenal v MAN CITY – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
12 Sep
Joe Hart was partly culpable for the goal conceded against Stoke last time out in the Premier League, but he is expected to retain his place ahead of Willy Caballero for this visit to the Emirates. Pablo Zabaleta has been declared fit after suffering a minor injury on international duty, while Eliaquim Mangala is ready to make his debut. He might have to wait, however, if Manuel Pellegrini decides to keep faith with Martin Demichelis at the heart of defence.
Fernando, the summer acquisition signed for just this sort of fixture, is out for a couple of weeks, so Fernandinho will likely step in to partner Yaya Touré, with James Milner, Frank Lampard and Jesus Navas all competing for a starting berth. Further forward, Stevan Jovetic will sit this one out with injury, meaning Sergio Aguero could start on his own up front if Pellegrini fancies playing an extra midfielder.
Here is the side the manager could select:
Referee: Mark Clattenburg.
Prediction: Arsenal 2 – 1 MAN CITY – City have found life tough away to Arsenal in recent years and I can’t see that changing on Saturday. Fernando’s absence will be a huge blow and although it will be tight, I fear Arsenal might just nick it by one. Goals to be scored by Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla and Sergio Aguero.
I like the balance of that side VfaB, bearing in mind the absence of Reggie and Jove. To lose those two players and be able to field Fernandinho and Silva in those positions, with Navas coming in as the other replacement, is testament to the strength of the squad.
It’s probably not the game to blood the Mangler in, especially with Martin Demichelis looking like he’s shed 5 years since his arrival last year.
Havings said that I can’t see the in-form Edin Džeko being dropped for this one and expect Kun Aguero to drop back into the No 10 slot and Navas to miss out again. It wouldn’t be a bad game to start Sagna in either if Zaba is not quite 100% – there’s no point in risking an injury to that warrior unnecessarily even though he’ll be as desperate as usual to pull on the shirt.
I hadn’t taken in your score prediction and I’m horribly useless at predicting scores for City games. All three results are entirely possible but I don’t see City conceding 2 goals and I do expect City to score. I think a draw is favourite but we might just nick it.
With the next three tough fixtures ahead, I do not see why Pellers should not start Mangala. I can be mistaken but Nasri has not been able to play well against Arsenal at Emirates since he joined City. I would go for the following line up:
————-Hart————
Zaba-Kompany-Mangala-Clichy
—–Fernandinho- Milner—–
—Navas — Yaya — Silva
————Aguero———–
I totally agree with your line up.Its perfect attacking as well as can cope up with the pacy arsenal attack
Think we need to bed in some players before champions league encounters so I would like to see the following team. City to win 3-1
Hart
Sagna Kompany Mangala Clichy
Ferandinho Lampard Milner
Yaya Silva
Aguero
Not a bad line-up at all.I would take that as well
To be fair, Siamack, I’d take pretty much any of the lineups we can put out these days