Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Manchester City: Predicted starting XI – God help us

By Andrew Dowdeswell

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Pep Guardiola of Manchester City talks to Mikel Arteta, Assistant Manager of Manchester City during a training session at Manchester City Football Academy on September 30, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Pep Guardiola of Manchester City talks to Mikel Arteta, Assistant Manager of Manchester City during a training session at Manchester City Football Academy on September 30, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal and Mathieu Valbuena of Olympiacos FC in action during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal and Mathieu Valbuena of Olympiacos FC in action during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Full-Backs

It was reported this week by David Ornstein of The Athletic that Hector Bellerin has been dealing with a groin strain. He has been taking painkillers to ease him through matches, but is struggling to push off with the same acceleration and is having difficulty crossing the ball. The report matches up with what you see on the pitch.

Sokratis started at right-back against West Ham on the weekend, but I expect Bellerin to return to the team here. Mikel Arteta will have to manage Bellerin. It is likely that the Spaniard could not play on Saturday and then on Wednesday so Arteta had to choose which game to use him in. In the end, he chose the trip to City.

On the opposite flank, Kieran Tierney has now returned to full training though I still expect the City match to come too soon. He might make an appearance on the bench and the weekend’s trip to Brighton and Hove Albion could be a more suitable opportunity to make his return. Consequently, Bukayo Saka continues as the starting left-back.