Another big game Arsenal could struggle to win.
Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in this weekend’s Premier League action and look good to take another three points off the Gunners, who are serial big-game chokers. Here’s five things to expect from the game, which won’t make great reading for Arsenal fans…
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1) Focus on goalkeepers
The debate rages on about how important a top class goalkeeper is for the big clubs. The unspectacular custodians remain under-rated and unver-valued in the game that is all about goal heroes and skillful attackers, but it is games like this when the difference can easily be illustrated.
Arsenal have not had the best of time with goalkeepers under Arsene Wenger, who did well to sign Jens Lehmann on the cheap back in 2004 but who has never truly replaced him. Wojciech Szczesny could continue to warm the bench for this game after some recent errors, but does backup player David Ospina have what it takes to step up in such a big game? At the other end, the world class Joe Hart has a match-winning save in him and could prove decisive in this tight encounter.
2) Arsenal weak in midfield
Although Manchester City will be withoout Yaya Toure – no doubt a big loss – they should still overpower Arsenal in the middle of the park. With Francis Coquelin recalled from a loan spell at Charlton Athletic, you know things are getting desperate for the Gunners in that position. Elsewhere, Mathieu Flamini has been disappointing this season, playing far more than excpected due to injuries sustained by the likes of Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey. Alongside Coquelin, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could slot in to an unfamiliar central midfield role, which had disastrous consequences for Arsene Wenger’s side when they went to Stamford Bridge last season and lost 6-0.3) Ozil to start – and do nothing
A player who almost typifies everything good and bad about Arsenal – immensely talented and skillful, great to watch, but ineffective in the big games and not up for a fight. Mesut Ozil should return to the starting lineup for the Gunners if he is fully fit again, as there is no doubt pressure for Wenger to justify his £42.5m signing by including him against the big teams. Still, it is hard to see Ozil influencing this game, particularly as he may find himself starved of service due to the weak defensive midfield players behind him. In turn, the absence of Yaya Toure could see Manuel Pellegrini line up with the more defensive-minded duo of Fernandinho and Fernando, with one of the Brazilian pair likely to be given the task of marking Ozil out of the game and occupying the space in that number ten role he craves.4) Alexis to shine again
Scorer of an absolute beauty the last time these two sides met, Alexis Sanchez looks in even more devastating form at the moment after finding his feet in the Premier League. The Chilean forward will be up against tougher opposition this weekend, though it must be said that City have not always been convincing at the back this season.
Unlike Ozil, Sanchez is a hard-worker who does not shy away from the big occasion, enjoying a good scoring record in El Clasico during his time at Barcelona. Expect him to be up for this one and to cause a real threat to City’s shakey backline.5) No repeat of crazy 6-3 scoreline
Last time Arsenal went to the Etihad Stadium, they let in six goals in an absolutely woeful day for their defenders. At the same time, it is worth noting that City were able to take full advantage of the sloppy defending by the Gunners, with two strikers – Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo – bang on form that day. This time, City will be without a fully fit Aguero, even though he could play a part, and have been forced to try James Milner upfront in recent games. Wilfried Bony has been signed from Swansea City to provide an upgrade on the likes of Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, but won’t play due to his involvement in the African Nations Cup with Ivory Coast.
Still, though it may not be a landslide, it is hard to see past a City victory here, perhaps by the odd goal.