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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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Arsenal, Alexandre Lacazette
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal which was given by VAR during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Front Three

In his press conference this week, Mikel Arteta heavily praised Alexandre Lacazette’s response to being dropped behind Eddie Nketiah as the lone centre-forward. He heralded the Frenchman’s attitude in training, his performances as a substitute, and heavily hinted that a return to the starting XI is on the cards.

Assuming Lacazette does start as the central striker, which I am expecting, that keeps Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the left flank once more. Aubameyang will definitely start in one role or another, but it is the make-up of the other two positions across the front three that determine where he slots into the team. On this occasion, it is on the left again.

That leaves just the right wing. Nicolas Pepe has slowly made the position his own in recent weeks, but his performances have still been somewhat lacking and Arteta is a huge believer in Reiss Nelson, who has looked sharp upon his return to the squad. Then there is Gabriel Martinelli to throw into the mix as well, who could start on the left, moving Aubameyang to the right side.

Arsenal Vs West Ham United: 5 things we learned. dark. Next

I predict that Pepe will hold onto his starting role. But, as is increasingly the case throughout the squad, Arteta now has options to choose from. And that makes his team selections very interesting indeed.