Preview : Manchester City vs Arsenal
Lukas Podolski is in a very good shape and has already scored 3 goals this season. (Photo: Reuters/Dylan Martinez)
Just a few years ago, this match was not considered a derby, but since Sheikh Mansour bought the Citizens, they have bought some of the Gunners' most prolific and promising players. In a nutshell, the situation is something like this: Arsenal develop a young talent into a great player; Manchester City want that player and offer a great deal of money for him; Wenger's club cannot turn down the offer and sell the player. It sounds like everyone is happy, except for the fact that the sky blues are winning trophies and the Gunners are not.
Nevertheless, Arsenal has started the season in great fashion, winning their last three games and conceding just one goals in the EPL, while being still unbeaten. Arsène Wenger believes in his team abilities and thinks that they can prove the doubters wrong this season : “I am very ambitious and I know that before the game starts,” said the Frenchman. “It will tell us a lot about our quality. How we handle the big games will decide how well we do in the championship. That is why it is an interesting weekend for us.
“I have no doubt about the desire and hunger of my squad. It will just tell you how strong we are at the moment.
“I believe we are quite strong but we have some room for improvement. All is not perfect but the signs we are giving are very good and very strong.
“The hunger is massive in this squad. They want to do well. They are focused. They want to win. We want to continue to improve because we have many new players. It is a big test to see how strong we are.”
“I believe we are quite strong but we have some room for improvement. All is not perfect but the signs we are giving are very good and very strong.
“The hunger is massive in this squad. They want to do well. They are focused. They want to win. We want to continue to improve because we have many new players. It is a big test to see how strong we are.”
There are no new injury worries for the Gunners, and the Frenchman is expected to put out a similar line-up from the Champions League away game against Montpellier. Expect Olivier Giroud to start with Lukas Podolski and Gervinho making the front three.
The midfield trio of Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Santi Cazorla have been amazing so far, and it will be crucial for them to take control of the midfield in order for Arsenal to dictate the pace of the game. Jack Wilshere also will be available to play soon, but will miss Sunday's game at "Etihad".
Arsenal's backline coped well after the defense came under big pressure from Montpellier in the second half of their Champions League game, and City are sure to pose questions in the match at the "Etihad". Kieran Gibbs, Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen have shown great chemistry, while Carl Jenkinson is a weak link and the Blues will try to crush the gunners from his zone. Laurent Koscielny might return in the starting line-up. as well.
The midfield trio of Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Santi Cazorla have been amazing so far, and it will be crucial for them to take control of the midfield in order for Arsenal to dictate the pace of the game. Jack Wilshere also will be available to play soon, but will miss Sunday's game at "Etihad".
Arsenal's backline coped well after the defense came under big pressure from Montpellier in the second half of their Champions League game, and City are sure to pose questions in the match at the "Etihad". Kieran Gibbs, Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen have shown great chemistry, while Carl Jenkinson is a weak link and the Blues will try to crush the gunners from his zone. Laurent Koscielny might return in the starting line-up. as well.
On the other hand, Manchester City have started the season hesitantly, most recently losing their game against Real Madrid in the Champions League. However, the defending champions are one of the best teams in the world right now and they can win when their back is against the wall.
Samir Nasri will miss the game after picking up a minor knock against Madrid. That will leave one less player for Arsenal fans to boo, but the Citizens have great midfielders even without the Frenchman.
Roberto Mancini commented on Mario Balloteli's attitude before the game, saying that he was "upset" : "It is difficult to keep Mario happy if he isn't first choice," Mancini said. "He was upset. This is normal. I don't think any player who doesn't play in the Bernabeu is happy about it.
"Three strikers on the bench would be too much so it could be that sometimes a striker goes to the stand. But after Mario went in the stand in Madrid maybe he can play against Arsenal."
"Three strikers on the bench would be too much so it could be that sometimes a striker goes to the stand. But after Mario went in the stand in Madrid maybe he can play against Arsenal."
City have arguably the best backline in the Premier League with player like: Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and the new addition Maicon. Joe Hart will also be a very significant player to wach in Sunday's game. He made some impressive saves againt Real, but he also conceded some easy goals.
All things considered, it is the prefect time for Arsenal to make a statement and while this will not be easy at all, I think that it will happen.
Details: Sunday, September 23, 16 a.m., "Etihad Stadium" Manchester
Expected line-ups: Manchester City: Hart, Clichy, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta, Garcia, Toure, Milner, Silva, Tevez, Aguero.
Arsenal: Mannone, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Jenkinson, Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski, Giroud.
Arsenal: Mannone, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Jenkinson, Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski, Giroud.
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