This weekend’s top of the table clash comes at the Ethiad when Arsenal travel to Manchester City on Sunday, hoping to confound their critics by winning at the home of one of their major rivals.
So the question is, can Arsenal beat Manchester City, despite their poor record against the top teams?
Despite breezing past Stoke City on Sunday, Arsenal cannot afford to have any defensive slip ups against the champions. Arsenal have already struggled this season against the big teams. With losses against Manchester United, Chelsea and draws to Liverpool and Tottenham, Arsenal have not gained any consistency when it comes to facing the top teams.
Earlier this season, Arsenal dominated against Manchester City at the Emirates but their defensive mistakes cost them dear once again when Martin Demichelis headed in after a simple corner routine. Arsene Wenger’s bold tactics against the big teams have seen his club struggle to pick up points.
So what can Arsenal do this time in order to get a good result?
Arsenal have to start with a back 5 of:Â
David Ospina
Bellerin, Mertersacker, Koscielny, Gibbs
The defense picks itself. With concerns over the mental state of Wojciech Szczesny and his poor form, David Ospina goes into the game with confidence after picking up two clean sheets in succession. With the injury to Debuchy, Hector Bellerin has to start for Arsenal. Others may think that Calum Chambers warrants a start, however his poor performances at right back this season have at times been costly. Bellerin is starting to develop into a fine right back and his agility to easily get up and down the pitch will be an important factor against a team with City’s pace. Mertersacker will start alongside the returning Koscielny which will be a much steadier defense and Kieran Gibbs should return to fitness in time for the game after missing the win against Stoke on Sunday. I believe that this is the back 5 that, Arsene Wenger needs to go with in order to try and stop Sergio Aguero and co.
Arsenal’s lack of strength and presence in the midfield department and inability to shut out teams has prevented the club in the past from picking up points against the big boys. Fans have been seeking a long time successor for Gilberto Silva and thus far they have not got one. With the dismal form of Flamini and injury to club captain, Mikel Artea, who is the perfect option to play in defensive midfield? Well, that player is Francis Coquelin. Coquelin’s dramatic improvement after being recalled from a loan spell from Charlton last month, has seen Arsenal be more solidified in midfield. The Frenchman has offered Arsenal some much needed presence and protection in midfield and he has to start against Manchester City on the weekend, if Arsenal are to pick up a victory. The Gunners have conceded three goals in the four games Coquelin has started, whereas the Gunners have conceded over a goal a game without the Frenchman playing in front of the back four.
Presence. Coquelin’s presence will be much needed when Arsenal try to combat the threat of City’s David Silva. Francis Coquelin’s aggressiveness will be crucial in this game as he is the type of player who will go after players with his energy and tough tackling nature.
Aaron Ramsey will surely come in after his return from a hamstring injury and he has great energy which will support Coquelin very well. With Yaya Toure unavailable due to the African Cup Of Nations, it is the perfect chance for Ramsey to compete with Fernando and Fernandinho in the middle of the park. I believe, that Ramsey will get the better of the two and this could be an important factor in Arsenal taking back the 3 points to London. The last position in the midfield 3 should be filled with Santi Cazorla. The Spanish superstar is in red hot form and he can dictate the game from the middle. Even though Mesut Ozil has returned from injury, I believe it will be too soon to rush him into action in a game with such high intensity.Â
Arsenal midfield 3:
Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla
Arsenal’s forward 3 dependent on who starts, will cause enormous problems for Manchester City’s back line. Manchester City have struggled for consistency in the defensive positions and the return of Vincent Kompany is a timely boost however he may be rushed into action for this crucial game. Alexis Sanchez can cause huge problems for City’s defense and if Mangala starts alongside Kompany, Arsenal’s attacking force can get the better of City’s lacklusture defense. Olivier Giroud should start as Arsenal’s centre forward for the game as his ability to get others into the game with his size will cause different  problems to Mangala and co. In my opinion, I believe the last position should go to Danny Welbeck. Danny Welbeck will offer not only pace to burn and a different outlet from the wing, but he will track back and give support to either Bellerin or Gibbs and stop Zabaleta or Clichy from bombing forwards in a 2 vs 1 situation.
Arsenal’s front 3:Â
Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck
My Arsenal team to face Manchester City:
Ospina
Bellerin, Mertersacker, Koscielny, Gibbs
Coquelin, Ramsey
Cazorla
Alexis, Giroud, Welbeck
I’m confident going into this game against Manchester City. I believe that with the return of Koscielny, it gives Arsenal a much needed balance in their defense and can help stop the threat of City’s star striker Sergio Aguero. With Francis Coquelin in fine form heading into the game, it can go a long way in stopping the threat of David Silva. Coquelin’s ability to get around Silva and frustrate him with his energy will be crucial if Arsenal want to pick up the win.
With Yaya Toure being unavailable, it lessen’s City’s height advantage over Arsenal in midfield. With the return of Aaron Ramsey and the hot form of Cazorla continuing, Arsenal’s midfield can cause problems to City’s. With Yaya Toure out, I feel far more confident than I would usually be if he was starting for City.
Alexis Sanchez is the integral part to this Arsenal team at the moment. His scintillating form for the club is continuing by each passing week and the thought of Alexis running rings around Kompany and co will give the Belgian sleepless nights for sure. His ability to change positions with team mates Giroud and Welbeck, will confuse City as their versatility to interchange positions could be one of the main reasons which helps Arsenal defeat City.
With the game against City emerging fast, I feel confident and I believe that Arsenal will take all 3 points.
Fingers crossed!