Arsenal, coming off a victory over Norwich, compounded with Tottenham’s nonsensical collapse at Stamford Bridge, have every chance of taking 2nd place as they travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Last week’s game, although appearing like a dead rubber, was crucial to win and almost certainly cements Champions League football next season. City, meanwhile, are coming off a timid defeat against Real Madrid following a demolishing by Southampton. However, now out of the Champions League, City, just ahead of the chasing pack, need to win their last two games to be sure of qualification.
While fatigued from the Champions League, it’s still likely that Pellegrini will put out a full side. Arsenal went away to City last season and won 2-0 thanks to an efficient performance, and a special one from the double pivot of Coquelin and Cazorla. It’s likely that the latter will be drafted in for Ramsey to provide a shield to the back four, with Cazorla and Wilshere standing by. City’s style of play, much like Arsenal’s, has been varied and inconsistent, but individual moments of magic from Aguero or De Bruyne could potentially hurt Arsenal.
City’s dangerman will likely be Sergio Aguero. Frustrated at the Bernabeu, his movement has proved difficult for Arsenal in the past, and he will be going for the Golden Boot.
Arsenal’s most effective player may be Mesut Ozil. He’s turned up in big games this season, and needs to do so again if he wants to break that assist record.
Match facts:
– Arsenal have kept 5 clean sheets in 7 games.
– Arsenal are also unbeaten in 8 games.
– Man City have scored at least 2 goals in 6 or 7 of their last games.
Team news:
– Per Mertesacker is ruled out for the season after coming off injured against Norwich, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be sidelined for another 6 weeks.
– David Silva and Pablo Zabaleta remain injured, while Kompany will also be out after coming off injured on Wednesday.
Predicted XI:
Arsenal(4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Elneny, Coquelin; Alexis, Ozil, Iwobi; Welbeck.
Man City (4-2-3-1): Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Navas, Toure, De Bruyne; Aguero
