Arsenal v Manchester City Preview

This is a huge game for several reasons, the first and most obvious being that it's a chance for Arsenal to improve on their big-game record. Last season we were a horror-show against these sides and didn't pick up nearly enough points from them, especially at home. It's understandable if you don't beat City or Chelsea away from home, so it's at home that you really have to get the points.

The second reason is that it's the first big test for us, tactically. Everton may have let us off the hook by throwing away a two goal lead but City won't and if we put in the sort of performance like we did against Leicester we're going to get trashed. We need to be stronger at the back and in midfield in these games, but we also need to get the attack right and this 4-1-4-1 shape isn't accomplishing that right now. I don't want to see us pack the side with lots of playmakers. I want to see us make use of the pace we've got in the squad. A front three of Welbeck, Chamberlain and Alexis could be very potent on the counter attack.

Then there's the fact that the result of this game will be the difference between a good and poor start to the season. 5 out of 12 points would be a crap return from the opening four games; 8 out of 12 including a draw at Everton and win over City looks a lot healthier.

So it should go without saying that I think we really need to win this game. Even though it's early days, a draw doesn't do much for us.

Nice job Sam.

First big test against a a top team, Aguero vs Mert will be a important battle. Debuchy must help out Mert and stay back and be more defensive.

For the love of god Wenger dont play özil on the left. Wenger’s choice of formation will be a the key to Arsenal winning or getting humiliated at home.

Anything less than 3 points is failure imo, I don't want to hear one point is ok...we playing at home and must win against our rivals.

Wenger no late subs, make good use of our subs.

--------------Szczesney
Debuchy – Mertesacker – Koscielny – Monreal
--------Flamini------------Wilshere
Sanchez--------------Ozil--------Campbell
---------------------Welbeck

I think we can beat them. I am even confident we can beat them. But will we? That's there to see

City always starts a bit hot n cold. Even last year when they dropped points to some random team at home and even 4th at some point. But they get stronger with each week. I guess it's not a bad time to play them.

But that's not important. What's important is what Jay said. We can't deteriorate our already shitty record against the big sides. Specially not at home. Tomorrow is a good battle to see how much we have improved from last year. Arteta and Gibbs back is a huge boost. Monreal has been excellent but Gibbs is Gibbs.

Ramsey is a doubt and I would honestly bench him. No point risking him when he is in the red zone. Also Wilshere is in better form and looks sharper in comparison to Ramsey who despite his goals has been a bit poor. Ozil in the middle please. Cazorla most likely will start at left.

Alexis got this.

im scared

Peccadillo wrote:im scared

i cant see us winning because we still havent addressed the dm poblem. silva is going to reck us, just like every other AM. ozykup retk us ffs :failfish:

Official team:

Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini; Alexis, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil; Welbeck

Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy; Fernandinho, Lampard; Navas, Silva, Milner; Aguero

Good team but i am worried about Flamini. I hope Welbz scores today.

ahoy folks!

ozil on the wing... again!

hoping for Welbeck to have a top game
Oz vs Zaba though

I'm worried about that midfield.

Flamini to blame for that goal.

We've played well, conceded an unfortunate goal. Let's get going in the 2nd half, we can get a result here!

cities fence just so solid. We need to start putting in better crosses.
as urban said, playing well just a sloppy goal against the run of play.
We can still win this, just need to keep putting them under the pump.

That Welbz effort was agonizing

Why is Ozil still on the field?

What a goal.

We were lucky and unlucky, somehow, again

Both goals were preventable

Should have won that

No DM, and Ozil on the wings lazy and confused..

I hope Debuchy is ok.

Is there a team who defends corners worse than us?

I think a draw is about fair. City hit the post twice and could have scored three after the Sanchez goal.

It is so frustrating through to see us score these amazing goals, to then only give up shit ones

Raptorgunner wrote:Is there a team who defends corners worse than us?

we were the best team at defending corners last season

Corners are always harder to deal with after just losing a defender to injury having to bring someone else on. Especially after there had been such a long break. I can understand how we lost concentration.

Was still disgusting to concede but I don't see set pieces or corners as something that will continue to be a weakness this year.