Arsene Wenger has named an unchanged line up that has seen us garner impressive victories against champions Chelsea and away at Birmingham. Personally speaking, I'm really glad he stuck with his winning line up. It is also heartening to see Djourou able to play two games consecutively, and with Manchester City having so many physical players, he will be crucial today.
Although Man City are missing David Silva and Mario Balotelli from the squad, they still have a strong line up on paper and they are still very dangerous. But it all depends on how Roberto Mancini approaches the game. If he sets out to defend the same way they did the last time they visited us, then it will be a very tight game where one goal might settle the issue. But realistically, Mancini would set up his side so as not to concede the first goal and maybe hit us on the break. Alex Song and Jack have to be careful they don't venture too much forward so that we can deal with their counter attacking strategy effectively.
Team news:
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Wilshere, Song, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Van Persie
Substitutes: Szczesny, Rosicky, Denilson, Squillaci, Arshavin, Chamakh, Bendtner
Manager: Arsene Wenger
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Formation view:
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Fabianski
Sagna Djourou Koscielny Clichy
Song Wilshere
Walcott Fabregas Nasri
van Persie
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Manchester City(4-3-3): Hart, Richards, Kompany, Toure, Zabaleta, De Jong, Barry, Toure Yaya, Milner, Tevez, Jo
Substitutes: Given, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Adam Johnson, Boateng, Lescott, Vieira
Manager: Roberto Mancini
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Formation view:
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Hart
Richards Kompany Toure Zabaleta
de Jong Yaya Toure Barry
Jo Tevez Milner
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Tactics:
Goalkeeping/Defence: Tevez will try to harry our defence and it will be absolutely crucial for us to stop him from getting any chance. Jo and Milner will try to link up with Tevez and we have to mark them properly. Man City also will target us from set pieces and good communication and decision making will be vital. Our defence needs to be on top form today.
Midfield: Hope our midfield trio can continue the good form and continue to create chances as well as provide good cover for our defence. Man City will try to be physical with us and we should know what to expect from them.
Attack: Though Robin found the net in the last match, he still looked rusty and wasted several good chances to score. Hope he comes on with his scoring boots on tonight. Nasri and Walcott will as usual be needed to provide width from the flanks and to help out our defence when not in possession.
Subs: I'd bring on Chamakh, Denilson and Arshavin/Rosicky.
Final Prediction:
A nervy 2-1 win for Arsenal.
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