Arsenal play one of the most important games of their Premier League season when they host title challengers Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. Last Word on Football tries to put together an Arsenal Predicted Lineup for this potential title decider against the defending champions.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City
🏃♂️ Upping the intensity
The squad are put through their paces ahead of tomorrow evening's @premierleague clash with Manchester City pic.twitter.com/zUHhNwcZqO
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 14, 2023
How Arsenal Have Lined-up Recently
Mikel Arteta has used a definitive starting lineup for the majority of the season. Only Eddie Nketiah has replaced Gabriel Jesus in recent months after the Brazilian forward got injured at the World Cup. He might, however, need to make a tough decision or two to get one over on his former side.
The back-five that has started the last few games is arguably the strongest defensive core that Arsenal have right now. Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko are in impressive form, while Ben White and William Saliba are basically undroppable. Even the midfield duo of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are too important to drop, meaning new signing Jorginho is unlikely to get his first Premier League start for the Gunners.
Read More: Arsenal Begin Reinforced Premier League Title Challenge With New Squad After January Window
However, Arteta could have to make a key decision on his frontline. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are too influential to not play, but Gabriel Martinelli’s drop in performance levels in recent weeks might warrant a start for January signing Leandro Trossard – who scored a great goal after coming off the bench against Brentford.
Arsenal Recent Form and Tactics
Arsenal have experienced a nervy drop in form in the last few weeks, having been unable to win their last three games. In fact, they’ve lost two out of their last three games and have only won three out of their seven matches in 2023 so far.
The Gunners are unlikely to change their playing style against Manchester City, despite being aware that the Citizens are probably the toughest side they will face in the league this season. Arsenal have an impressive home form in the league, being unbeaten at the Emirates Stadium and having won a whopping eight out of their ten games at home so far.
It’s almost like Arteta’s squad gains a surge in energy and power levels for their home games and they are no longer going to take a negative stance for this game. Even though they’re unlikely to dominate the possession, they will look to hit their opponent with swift breaks.
Read More: Gabriel Martinelli Signs New Arsenal Contract
They’re likely to use the pace of Saka, Trossard and even Nketiah to run rings around the City backline and create major chances after catching them off guard defensively. Odegaard will have to act like a captain, getting the ball forward and playing key passes into the promising areas in the final third.
Xhaka will probably have to help Partey with defensive duties and aim to keep the opposition midfielders at bay, but needs to keep making the runs into the empty spaces in the attack to increase his side’s scoring chances. Arsenal needs to be quick with their progressive play and utilise their full-backs for it too, needing Zinchenko and White to make overlapping runs to put the visitors under pressure.
Of course, the Gunners need to be at their very best defensively to keep the defending champions quiet. It’s been clear throughout this season that City are vulnerable to counter-attacks and that they struggle against low defensive blocks. As long as Arsenal can play their natural game and be a bit more cautious defensively, they could get a big win and reinvigorate their title charge again.
Arsenal Injuries to Consider
Gabriel Jesus is still out until at least March because of an injury. Mohamed Elneny is injured too, while Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson are unlikely to recover in time for this.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Gabriel Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, Eddie Nketiah
