A look at the Gunners team news as they take on Manchester City at Etihad.
Following a heartbreak against Manchester United in the FA Cup, Unai Emery’s side bounced back well by edging Cardiff City 2-1 at the Emirates on Tuesday. Even though the scoreline does not show resemble that, the Gunners had control for most parts of the game and their front two came to their action to secure all three points.
Even though their defense held up Cardiff City well until the stoppage time, lapse of concentration cost them the clean sheet. They will be keen to avoid those mistakes at the back because Manchester City team are capable of taking a half chances and change the game within a split second.
After Chelsea’s resounding 5-0 win over Huddersfield, the Gunners will be looking to catch up with them on point by securing a victory over Pep Guardiola’s side who have not authoritative lately. There might one or two shuffles in the Citizens side after the defeat against Newcastle United on Tuesday.
It will be an interesting clash as both sides have not been great at the back lately by conceding goals here and there.
TEAM NEWS:
👀 We could have an Arsenal debutant today…
…but will @DenisSuarez6 start in #MCIARS? Here’s what @UnaiEmery_ said 👇
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) February 3, 2019
New signing Denis Suarez who made a loan move from Barcelona until the end of the season is expected to take part in today’s game. The Spaniard might even start the game after impressing Unai Emery in the training.
In the Pre-match press conference, Unai Emery was asked Denis Suarez would start against his former side Manchester City.
“I am thinking of all the players, and I will make my decision tomorrow, but if he starts I have confidence in him.” Arsenal boss said of Denis Suarez.
The Spaniard has a decision to make this Sunday about the formation. There is no doubt that both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang will start, but it will be interesting to see where they would start.
According to the Manchester Evening News, it is understood that the Switzerland International Granit Xhaka has been ruled out for the clash after suffering a knock. Besides, Ainsley Maitland-Niles is another player who is expected to miss after suffering the same against Cardiff City. Even though Unai Emery has not said about it, they were not seen with the team at Manchester yesterday night. Mesut Ozil has traveled with the squad.
Granit Xhaka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles & Henrikh Mkhitaryan have not travelled with the Arsenal squad to Manchester, although Mesut Özil has been included for tomorrow’s match against Manchester City. [MEN] #afc pic.twitter.com/VC1j1uei0r
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) February 3, 2019
Xhaka wasn’t pictured with first team in training today. Would be problematic for Emery if he didn’t make trip to Manchester.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) February 2, 2019
It is likely to see Unai Emery go with a back three, and Nacho Monreal could play as a centre-back. Carl Jenkinson, who fared the last match will start. Furthermore, he has been playing Under23s football over a month is expected to fill the defensive part of the right flank. Laurent Koscielny has recovered from injury and will take over the armband from Ramsey.
Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi are expected to step up in the midfield following the injury to Xhaka. Aaron Ramsey and the striker partners Lacazette and Aubameyang are expected to fare in the starting line up as well.
STARTING XI: Bernd Leno, Carl Jenkinson, Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi, Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac, Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, Aaron Ramsey, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette.
Despite taking part in full training, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has not traveled with the squad according to the reports.
