By Mikel Arteta’s own admission, it doesn’t get much bigger than Sunday’s clash between Arsenal and Manchester City.
“It’s a massive game for both teams,” the Spaniard said. “It will give us a huge boost again if we go there and win it. Still there is a long, long, long way after to make the ground to win it.”
Win, and the Gunners can open up a four point gap over Pep Guardiola’s side with just nine games remaining. Lose, and Mikel Arteta’s men slip from leading the way in the Premier League title race to third place.
With that in mind it’s crucial that Arteta gets his team selection spot on. Thankfully for him football.london ‘s Arsenal writers are on hand to offer their opinions on who should start at the Etihad.
If there is any hope that Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli can play, then they should. This is the biggest game of Arsenal’s season and taking a measured risk with the trio is certainly worth it.
The approach needs to be one of control but one with threat when offered the chance to counter. Without John Stones and Kyle Walker, there is a lack of options at the back and having the pace of Saka and Martinelli will be critical.
Jorginho will again be relied upon to control the game from deep with Declan Rice offering further midfield combativeness. Kai Havertz is certainly the form player and will be used again at centre forward like in the Community Shield but now at a much higher level.
Jakub Kiwior has a massive job to lock down the City right whilst Ben White has plenty to do on the other side.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Man City: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
David Raya is going to be crucial if Arsenal are to battle for possession as they hope to against City. He’ll be an upgrade on Aaron Ramsdale in that sense.
In defence, I’m pretty confident Gabriel is going to make it, so the only real selection headache is at left-back. I think if Takehiro Tomiyasu was fully fit I might opt for him, but throwing him straight back into the fold for his first football in two months would be too much of a risk.
So would playing Oleksandr Zinchenko, for my money. The Ukrainian is superb on the ball but you can’t afford even the slightest defensive slip up in this one. That’s why I’m trusting Jakub Kiwior to start.
In midfield I’m keeping Jorginho in the team. His experience and composure at the base of the midfield could be crucial, and allows Declan Rice to push up the pitch to hopefully put pressure on Rodri.
Finally, up front I think Gabriel Martinelli could be a great option off the bench just like last time if he’s not fully fit. Instead of putting Leandro Trossard in on the left though I’m opting for Gabriel Jesus on the wing. Up front I’m keeping Kai Havertz, and I feel Bukayo Saka should be good to start this one.
Kaynak’s Arsenal XI vs Manchester City: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Jesus.uii
