Manchester City saw their winning run rudely snapped as Newcastle United ran out shock 2-1 winners earlier in the week.
The Sky Blues are not helping themselves in their quest to retain the Premier League title after losing to Leicester City, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace. The odd loss can be expected but these adverse results have resulted in deflated expectations and the daunting fixture list ahead is added cause for concern.
City play Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea in the space of 8 days and even if they manage to come out of them unscathed, Pep might still find his team 5 points behind Liverpool. This is where the mental fortitude of the players will be tested. The relentless nature of the league and the established history of poor title retention might come into play sooner rather than later but Pep will need to make sure the players leave more than 100% on the pitch each time.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have failed to attain consistency after a bright start under Unai Emery but given City’s diminishing aura of invincibility, the Gunners will back themselves to take something from this game.
MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS
Vincent Kompany and Claudio Bravo are the only confirmed absentees. Benjamin Mendy has trained twice with the group but Pep was unwilling to give much away regarding his chances of featuring tomorrow.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY LINEUP VS ARSENAL (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Ederson picked up a knock in midweek but is likely to be fit enough to start. He can expect a busy day in the office with the likes of Lacazette and Aubameyang vying to put the ball past him.
Kyle Walker is likely to start. The buccaneering Englishman hasn’t been anywhere near his best this season but needs this vote of confidence from Pep.
Aymeric Laporte looks to be a nailed-on starter while John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi will be competing for a place next to him. But with Stones preferred in midweek, the Argentine looks likelier to start.
Danilo has been in good form in recent weeks but was not at his best against Newcastle. But with Mendy just back from his injury, the Brazilian should get another opportunity in the first team.
MIDFIELD
Fernandinho will start in the holding midfield role. His role is perhaps the most crucial in this team and he will have to put in a tireless shift as always. Kevin de Bruyne has started the last 4 for City but with five days to recover after the loss against the Magpies, he might start once more.
David Silva will find his name in City’s best team and the need of the hour is a win which means the Spaniard is expected to start ahead of Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan.
ATTACK
Sergio Aguero should lead the line even though it cannot be taken as a foregone conclusion anymore with Gabriel Jesus scoring his way into the manager’s plans this year.
Leroy Sane is expected to start on the left-wing while we may see Riyad Mahrez line up on the left in place of Raheem Sterling who might be introduced from the bench later on.
