After a less-than-impressive win against a struggling West Ham United side this past weekend, Arsenal will face Manchester City at the Etihad on Tuesday.
This match will see Mikel Arteta go head-to-head against his mentor, Pep Guardiola, for the very first time as Arsenal manager.
The Gunners will have to be wary of Guardiola’s team, who could be in top gear following their disappointing loss to neighbours, Manchester United.
Arteta’s side have not lost a game in 2020 in the Premier League, winning four and drawing four so far. City, meanwhile, have lost two of their eight league games in 2020. The last time these two sides met in the league, the Gunners were brushed aside 3-0.
But, this new Arsenal team have looked more solid at the back, which could make this an interesting contest.
Arsenal Team News
The Gunners do not have any new injury concerns. Defenders Calum Chambers, Kieran Tierney, Sead Kolasinac, and Cedric Soares have all been ruled out, while midfielder Lucas Torreira will also miss the clash against City.
Let’s take a look at the possible Arsenal lineup for the game against Manchester City:
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Manchester City
Defence
Bernd Leno will start in goal for the Gunners against City. The German has been in good form for the Arsenal, and could have a busy game in-between the sticks against Guardiola’s side.
Former Manchester City defender Pablo Mari made his first Premier League start against West Ham United, and had a reasonably good game. He could retain his position in the Arsenal lineup, playing alongside the experienced David Luiz.
Sokratis played at right-back, and had an okay game, and could retain his place in the team. Teenager Bukayo Saka should continue at left-back.
Midfield
Dani Ceballos put on yet another good performance and he has become one of the first names in the Arsenal lineup of late. He should start alongside Granit Xhaka in midfield. Mesut Ozil should also retain his position as the No. 10.
Mattéo Guendouzi and Joe Willock are options for the deeper midfield roles, while Reiss Nelson is an option in the No. 10 role.
Attack
Alexandre Lacazette could return to the Arsenal lineup in place of Eddie Nketiah, after scoring the only Gunners goal against West Ham.
Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should start on the left. Arteta may want to play a defensive-minded right-sided player for the game against City to protect Sokratis a bit more, so Reiss Nelson or Hector Bellerin could play that role in place of Nicolas Pepe.
Bellerin could play as a right-back when Arsenal do not have the ball, allowing Sokratis to move in field into the central areas and make the Gunners backline harder to break down.
