Arsenal travel to Manchester this weekend looking to avenge the memory of the 6-3 defeat in this fixture last season. On that day, Arsenal’s title challenge was dealt a huge psychological blow as their midfield was repeatedly torn open leaving large gaps for City to get at their back four.
In the reverse fixture this season Arsenal put on one of their better league performances, coming back from a sucker punch Aguero goal to lead through Sanchez and Wilshere.
That the lead was eventually given away through a set piece goal is emblematic of the Gooners season so far, just when the team looks like its putting together a bit of form a setback puts them back to square one.
Twice this season opportunities have been there to get important wins against fellow big teams in Liverpool and Manchester City, and twice Arsenal’s ability to defend corners has let them down at the crucial moments.
Injury News
Arsenal were dealt a double injury blow this week with the news that Debuchy would be kept out for three months with a dislocated shoulder while Arteta will be another three months out after undergoing surgery.
Wilshere will continue to be kept out of the midfield however both Gibbs and Chambers are back in contention. Gibbs will undergo a late fitness test to see will he make the matchday squad while Chambers will compete with Bellerin for the right back position.
Both Welbeck (thigh) and Gnabry (knee) continue to be out as Arsenal’s injury epidemic continues.
Team Shape
After starting the wins against Hull and Stoke it’s likely that Ospina will continue in goal. Regardless of the causes of Szcesney’s absence from the starting eleven, whether they were disciplinary or form driven, it’s up to Ospina now to prove that he can be a regular for a premier league side.
With Gibbs likely to start on the bench, Monreal will continue at left-back. The Spaniard had been criticized for his performances at centre-back, but given how he had never played that position before he performed adequately well in the position.
The centre-half partnership of Koscielny and Mertesacker will be looking to continue their improved performances in recent games, while outside them Wenger has a decision to make on whether to continue with Bellerin or recall Chambers.
In midfield Coquelin will be looking to continue to hold the position that he has earned through a string of solid performances with Ramsey likely to come back in at the base of the midfield.
Further forward the in-form Cazorla will probably start in the middle unless the manager wants to bring in Ozil, in which case Cazorla will move to the left and one of Giroud or Oxlade-Chamberlain will drop to the bench.
Sanchez will be looking to continue his rich vein of form which has seen him contribute to more than 51% of Arsenal’s goals.
Match Facts
In the five games Arsenal have played against the current top four, Arsenal have picked up just four points, the sole win coming at home to Southampton.
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last five encounters with Arsenal, picking up two wins and three draws.
Arsenal are in poor away form at the moment, picking up just two wins in their last six away games.
Manchester City have won nine of their last twelve premier league games, going unbeaten in the process.
The Prediction
Arsenal have played City twice this season and performed well in both games. If Arsenal can hold their own in midfield and not allow Fernandinho and Fernando to dominate possession in the middle of the park, then the Gooners certainly have the weapons to hurt City.
Likely Line-Up
Ospina, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Ramsey, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Sanchez, Giroud
