An incredibly challenging week comes to a close on Sunday for Arsenal as they travel to Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Gunners executed the perfect away performance at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend in the north London derby and followed that up with a composed but slightly frustrating goalless draw with Atalanta in their Champions League opener on Thursday.
However, facing last season’s Premier League champions, who narrowly pipped them to the title, will be Mikel Arteta’s toughest test. Victory would see them leapfrog the Cityzens in the table, while defeat would cut them five points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s men.
Arsenal’s challenge is made even more difficult by the absence of influential midfielder and club captain Martin Odegaard in the centre of the park. Replacing his creativity in central areas may prove impossible.
Here is how Arsenal could line up at the Etihad on Sunday.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Man City (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya – After producing one of the all-time great Champions League saves midweek – denying Mateo Retegui from the penalty spot and from six yards just seconds later – Raya will have to be similarly flexible on Sunday.
RB: Ben White – No matter who he comes up against – Jack Grealish, Phil Foden or Jeremy Doku – White will be put through his paces. However, he has silenced Son Heung-min and Ademola Lookman in his last two outings, which is a positive sign.
CB: William Saliba – The imperious centre-back produced another dazzling display in Bergamo, earning a fifth clean sheet in six games this season. He’s one of the few defenders in world football capable of stifling the free-scoring Erling Haaland.
CB: Gabriel – After earning hero status in last weekend’s north London derby with his winning header, he was clearly targeted as the weak link by Retegui midweek. Perhaps Haaland will also attempt to isolate the Brazilian.
LB: Jurrien Timber – Arsenal’s makeshift left-back has done an admirable job amid an injury crisis in what is really his first season with the Gunners after an ACL tear in 2023/24. Much like White, he will be tested by a ridiculous roster of attacking talent.
DM: Jorginho – With Odegaard missing and Kai Havertz wasted in deeper areas, could Arsenal play with Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Declan Rice on Sunday to subdue a rampant City midfield? Possibly, with Jorginho the deepest among them.
CM: Thomas Partey – Partey had an evening to forget in northern Italy. A generally subpar display reached peak disappointment as he gifted Atalanta a penalty early in the second half with a clumsy challenge. He must improve in Arsenal’s biggest game of the season.
CM: Declan Rice – Odegaard’s creativity will be sorely missed on Sunday but Rice has shown his ability to play in more advanced positions for club and country. He’s impactful as a box-to-boxer and may be burdened with more attacking responsibilities than usual at the Etihad.
RW: Bukayo Saka – The young Englishman has made a lightning fast start to the season, providing a goal or assist in all four of Arsenal’s Premier League games to date. Arteta will lean heavily on his pace and ability to draw fouls in Manchester.
ST: Kai Havertz – After an underwhelming midfield performance against Atalanta, Havertz may be restored to his favoured number nine role at the weekend. The German’s movement and ability to drop deep could open up space for the likes of Saka and Leandro Trossard in behind.
LW: Leandro Trossard – With Gabriel Martinelli struggling for form and Raheem Sterling unlikely to earn his first start away at his old club, Trossard should start on the left flank this weekend. He’s also yet to hit top gear this term but he offers Walker a unique problem out wide with his movement.
