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Arsenal Vs Manchester City: Predicted starting XI – Here come the big guns

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal reacts during UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal and Ostersunds FK at the Emirates Stadium on February 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal reacts during UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal and Ostersunds FK at the Emirates Stadium on February 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on February 3, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Front Three

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s absence will be challenging to overcome. With Danny Welbeck struggling for form and sharpness, Alexandre Lacazette absent through injury, and Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott all having departed in the January window, there are only really three clear options for the three attacking positions.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, after two weeks off thanks to being cup-tied in the Europa League, will start as the lone striker. Mesut Ozil will return to the team after missing Thursday’s match against Ostersunds, even though he has been dealing with the flu. Alex Iwobi, assuming that his issue late on in the week is not too debilitating, will play on the left flank.

They may not see much of the ball with City’s usual possessional dominance, and there will be a great deal of defensive responsibility on the trio to press on occasion and track runners deep on occasion, but they must also be able to offer a threat when they get the opportunity. If City are allowed to grow comfortable and impress themselves on Arsenal, then it could be a very difficult afternoon indeed.

Next: Arsenal Vs Ostersunds: Player ratings

Wenger will need to nail his tactics. City are the best team in the country by some distance. This is not an easy task. But Arsenal are 90 minutes away from a trophy. This is a chance that they should be raring to take.