Arsenal take on Manchester City at the Emirates this evening in what could be a defining tie in the Premier League title race.
Mikel Arteta’s men have stumbled in recent weeks, firstly losing to Everton in what was arguably their worst performance of league season to date, while failing to capitalise on a 1-0 lead against Brentford at the weekend, having to settle for a share of the points.
Granted, City haven’t exactly been in the greatest form either, losing three times in 2023 already, although their recent Jekyll and Hyde nature will be of major concern to Arteta, who will have to be wary of which City will turn up tonight.
The Spaniard will likely start with the vast majority of the team that lined up against Brentford, although we at Football FanCast predict one major change…
What could Arsenal’s starting XI look like against Manchester City?
Aaron Ramsdale will keep his place in goal and has been in excellent form this campaign, conceding 18 goals while keeping nine clean sheets in 21 Premier League matches.
The back four will remain unchanged from the weekend. Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko will take up their usual spots on the right and left side of the defence respectively, while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will form the central defensive unit. The Brazilian was impressive against the Bees, winning 70% of his total duels and Arteta will require this level of performance tonight.
The midfield triumvirate which has been so effective this season will start against the champions. Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have racked up 25 goal contributions between them and their chemistry has enabled Arsenal to leap to the summit of the league table.
Bukayo Saka will once again start on the right wing, with Eddie Nketiah leading the line through Gabriel Jesus’ injury absence, however there will be a change on the left flank ahead of the match tonight.
Gabriel Martinelli will drop to the bench, as the £90k-per-week fan favourite has struggled recently – despite Arteta keeping the faith in him regularly – and will be replaced in the starting XI by Leandro Trossard, the recent £27m January signing.
He was praised by Alan Shearer for a “magnificent” goal he netted against Brentford last season and having scored against the same opposition after arriving from the substitutes bench at the weekend, he deserves a start to give Arteta that extra attacking spark they have been lacking recently.
