Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Manchester City: 5 key players to watch – FA Cup on the line

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on July 2, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on July 2, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus) /

4. Benjamin Mendy

Manchester City are an almost unbeatable team. Even in this down year in which they have lost nine league games, their recent form shows a brilliant team at the top of their game. Only Southampton and Chelsea have beaten them since the restart. And against Southampton, City had a 2.8 expected goals and only lost because they were unlucky.

It leaves Arsenal facing an uphill task. However, the Chelsea result provides some hope, especially in the form of left-back Benjamin Mendy, who is a defensive liability at times. Mendy is supreme in offensive areas. He delivers a brilliant cross, explodes on overlapping runs, and holds the City width, providing space for others to work in central areas. But defensively, he can be exploited.

Christian Pulisic left Mendy for dead when he scored for Chelsea in their 2-1 victory. Mendy is not a great tackler in one-on-ones and while he is extremely quick, he can be caught out of position at times. He pushes forward brilliantly, but he will leave space in behind on the counter-attack. If Arsenal are to have offensive joy on Saturday, exploiting Mendy’s natural attacking style might be their best option.