An extremely difficult week involves an in depth on Sunday for Arsenal as they journey to Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League.
The Gunners executed the right away efficiency at Tottenham Hotspur final weekend within the north London derby and adopted that up with a composed however barely irritating goalless draw with Atalanta of their Champions League opener on Thursday.
Nevertheless, going through final season’s Premier League champions, who narrowly pipped them to the title, shall be Mikel Arteta’s hardest take a look at. Victory would see them leapfrog the Cityzens within the desk, whereas defeat would minimize them 5 factors adrift of Pep Guardiola’s males.
Arsenal’s problem is made much more troublesome by the absence of influential midfielder and membership captain Martin Odegaard within the centre of the park. Changing his creativity in central areas could show unattainable.
Right here is how Arsenal might line up on the Etihad on Sunday.
GK: David Raya – After producing one of many all-time nice Champions League saves midweek – denying Mateo Retegui from the penalty spot and from six yards simply seconds later – Raya should be equally versatile on Sunday.
RB: Ben White – Irrespective of who he comes up towards – Jack Grealish, Phil Foden or Jeremy Doku – White shall be put by his paces. Nevertheless, he has silenced Son Heung-min and Ademola Lookman in his final two outings, which is a optimistic signal.
CB: William Saliba – The imperious centre-back produced one other dazzling show in Bergamo, incomes a fifth clear sheet in six video games this season. He is one of many few defenders in world soccer able to stifling the free-scoring Erling Haaland.
CB: Gabriel – After incomes hero standing in final weekend’s north London derby together with his profitable header, he was clearly focused because the weak hyperlink by Retegui midweek. Maybe Haaland will even try and isolate the Brazilian.
LB: Jurrien Timber – Arsenal’s makeshift left-back has finished an admirable job amid an damage disaster in what is actually his first season with the Gunners after an ACL tear in 2023/24. Very like White, he shall be examined by a ridiculous roster of attacking expertise.
DM: Jorginho – With Odegaard lacking and Kai Havertz wasted in deeper areas, might Arsenal play with Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Declan Rice on Sunday to subdue a rampant Metropolis midfield? Presumably, with Jorginho the deepest amongst them.
CM: Thomas Partey – Partey had a night to neglect in northern Italy. A usually subpar show reached peak disappointment as he gifted Atalanta a penalty early within the second half with a slipshod problem. He should enhance in Arsenal’s largest recreation of the season.
CM: Declan Rice – Odegaard’s creativity shall be sorely missed on Sunday however Rice has proven his skill to play in additional superior positions for membership and nation. He is impactful as a box-to-boxer and could also be burdened with extra attacking tasks than regular on the Etihad.
RW: Bukayo Saka – The younger Englishman has made a lightning quick begin to the season, offering a purpose or help in all 4 of Arsenal’s Premier League video games so far. Arteta will lean closely on his tempo and talent to attract fouls in Manchester.
ST: Kai Havertz – After an underwhelming midfield efficiency towards Atalanta, Havertz could also be restored to his favoured quantity 9 position on the weekend. The German’s motion and talent to drop deep might open up house for the likes of Saka and Leandro Trossard in behind.
LW: Leandro Trossard – With Gabriel Martinelli struggling for type and Raheem Sterling unlikely to earn his first begin away at his previous membership, Trossard ought to begin on the left flank this weekend. He is additionally but to hit prime gear this time period however he presents Walker a singular downside out vast together with his motion.
