Bernd Leno, Arsenal (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Arsenal come up against Manchester City at the Etihad this weekend.
Pull through it, team. I understand that nobody likes the international break, especially when the performances seem to be as bland as England’s in recent years. I can only hope your country puts in some more exciting displays. But we will soon see a return to Premier League football, and Manchester City vs Arsenal certainly won’t disappoint.
Arsenal faced Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinal, a competition which they went on to win. Having learned under Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta proved that he is no pushover as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bagged twice, and then again in the final.
But the Premier League is a different kettle of fish entirely. To win this match, Arteta must put forward his best possible lineup. Here’s how I think the Gunners will setup.
Bernd Leno
I don’t think there’ll be any real questions asked here, it has to be Bernd Leno between the sticks. Especially after his emphatic performance against Liverpool recently, the German will be hungry to pick up all three points against Manchester City.
It was Martinez that took his place in the FA Cup fixture, but now he’s been sold, Leno is the only sensible option.
club statement</a> that a member of the Scottish national team had tested positive for COVID-19, which could rule out Tierney from this match as he is currently in isolation.</p>
<p>I’m certain that in the right company, Kolasinac would make a good addition to a back-three. He is a physical player, just like his two defensive partners. If he can focus on his positioning and spatial awareness, then he will have a good display in place of Tierney.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/12/arsenal-xi-manchester-city-arteta/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Midfielders - A debut for Thomas Partey </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-484976" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/12/arsenal-xi-manchester-city-arteta/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1228889946-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Thomas Partey brings a boatload of talent to the Arsenal midfield after securing a 45 million switch to the Emirates. (Photo by Alejandro Rios/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Hector Bellerin</h3>
<p>Mikel Arteta will deploy Bellerin as the right-sided full-back. Bellerin has an abundance of pace and is able to keep up with the City full-backs, while also getting forward himself whenever the opportunity arrises, which may be limited against a team like City.</p>
<h3>Granit Xhaka</h3>
<p>I think it would make sense for Arsenal to play Granit Xhaka as opposed to Ceballos, while keeping the Spaniard on the bench to bring on when a more attacking element is required. Granit Xhaka will be key to dictating the play from a deeper position than usual.</p>
<p>His defensive work and discipline has immensely improved under Arteta, so fans can feel safe in this regard. Xhaka is often the first name on the team sheet and this won’t change against Guardiola’s men.</p>
<h3>Thomas Partey</h3>
<p>This would be quite the statement to make. Arteta is not often the type to throw a player into the starting XI straight away, as we have seen with William Saliba’s stagnated start. However, given Arsenal’s lack of midfield options, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/12/arsenal-xi-manchester-city-arteta/"https://fbref.com/en/players/529f49ab/Thomas-Partey">Thomas Partey</a> could easily get the nod in this match.</p>
<p>Partey can play as a box-to-box midfielder, which will help Arteta as he looks to bring some balance to his midfield. I have a feeling that the likes of Aubameyang will also benefit from Partey’s attacking input in this match, which can only mean one thing; goals.</p>
<h3>Bukayo Saka</h3>
<p>Fresh off the back of his first international callup, Saka will be flying with confidence. He played well for England in their friendly against Wales but he will be excited to return to action in the Premier League.</p>
<p>Saka’s versatility is what has already made him a star at a young age. He will only continue to improve and it’s in his games like this which he thrives. He will likely take a position at wing-back, although Arteta has the option to revert to a back four if need be.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/12/arsenal-xi-manchester-city-arteta/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Attackers - The strongest front three </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-485019" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/12/arsenal-xi-manchester-city-arteta/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1228468538-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal (Photo by PAUL CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Willian</h3>
<p>Having many great performances under his belt against Manchester City already, Willian will be excited for his first with Arsenal.</p>
<p>Willian is a direct player, which will serve Arteta well against his former club. Especially if Ceballos is brought on from the bench, Willian can look to make runs in behind the City defence. If not, he will look to feed Aubameyang as he done well in his short time at Arsenal. Chelsea fans often criticised Willian but they will be the first to tell you, he is often a man for the big occasion.</p>
<h3>Alexandre Lacazette</h3>
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<p>Lacazette has had an incredible start to Arsenal life this season, as he often does. Scoring some impressive goals already, Lacazette mustn’t let the misses he incurred against Liverpool get the better of his confidence. After all, he was the only Arsenal player that scored in this match anyway.</p>
<p>Lacazette has a tendancy to find the right position at the right time, which may be the best way to break down this Manchester City defence that doesn’t like to be tested. It’ll be a battle of trying to outsmart one another, but I’m confident that Lacazette can have a field day if he has the right mindset.</p>
<h3>Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang</h3>
<p>And if not Lacazette, then Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will certainly punish the Citizens. He is going through a dry patch of form but there’s no better club to bring back his goal scoring form than against City.</p>
<p>Aubameyang needs no explanation. He is simply clinical, energetic and terrifying to defend against. If he is on top form, then so will Arsenal be.</p>
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<p>How do you think Arsenal will lineup?</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">