Arsenal are ready to travel to face Manchester City in what could prove to be a huge Premier League title decider on Wednesday, April 26. Last Word on Sports tries to put together the Arsenal Predicted Lineup as the Gunners aim to reignite their title charge by defeating Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City
✊ 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔
🆚 Manchester City
🕗 8pm (UK)
🏟️ Etihad Stadium
🏆 Premier League pic.twitter.com/KG4Kau6VT2— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 26, 2023
How Arsenal Have Lined-Up Recently
Mikel Arteta hasn’t been able to pick his usual starting line-up for the last few games due to injuries plaguing his squad at the worst possible time in the campaign. Irrespective, he will play his best-available players for this game knowing its importance. That means Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko should all keep their places as they look to stifle City’s deadly attack.
The front four of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and captain Martin Odegaard need to be at their best to trouble City in their own yard. In midfield, the sturdy Thomas Partey should be accompanied by January signing Jorginho – who was once hailed as a ‘strategic player’ by former manager Thomas Tuchel.
Arsenal Recent Form and Tactics
The Gunners have only won two of their last five Premier League games, being held to three draws in as many games. The Gunners’ recent form has allowed City to catch up to them in the Premier League title race and the Citizens now lie just five points behind them having played two games fewer. Wednesday’s game at the Etihad could be the last chance for Arsenal to take a firm hold on their own fate as a win keep them firmly in the top spot so long as they match City’s results from here on out. Anything other than a win will mean that the Gunners will need Guardiola’s side to drop points if they are to claim the Premier League title.
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Arteta has not shown any sign of fear against any Premier League side this season and knowing how Arsenal need to win the game at the Etihad Stadium, he’ll probably stick with his 4-2-3-1 formation that has served his side well. Arsenal should maintain their style of being incisive with their attacking style, moving the ball quickly through the wings before eventually getting it into the box.
The Gunners will need to be lethal in counterattacks, using the pace of their young frontline and finishing off chances perfectly. They’re likely to continue playing the ball out of their half but need to be accurate and show a lot of mental strength to sustain City’s insane pressing ability and their keen attacking instincts.
Arsenal Key Players
Considering how they’ve conceded seven goals in their last three games, Arsenal can’t rely on their defence to bail them out. Their forward line and midfield has to fire on all cylinders in this game for them to come away with the victory.
Saka has arguably been their most influential attacker this season and will need to be at his clinical best, making use of his pace to get behind the City backline and creating chances in the final third with his shots or crosses. Gabriel Jesus, who left City to join Arsenal last summer, will hope to torment his former side with his smart off-the-ball running and needs to put away whatever chances he gets.
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Martinelli can be a nightmare in counter-attacks too. His quick movement and dribbling style could prove key to get past the City defence and capitalize with ruthless finishing. The Gunners’ midfield playmaker Odegaard will also need to take the game by the scruff of its neck and play pitch-perfect final third passes, as well as look to get in the end of scoring chances himself. The Arsenal defence will also need to put recent poor performances behind them in order to keep the menacing Erling Haaland & co quiet.
Arsenal Injuries to Consider
William Saliba is yet to recover from an injury he suffered against Sporting in the Europa League last month. Granit Xhaka is also a doubt for this game, while Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain on the long-term injury list.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus
Main Image
Embed from Getty Images
