Pain in the Arsenal
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Manchester City vs Arsenal Predicted XI: Is it Partey Time?

By Jeff Beard

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 18: Kieran Tierney and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal celebrate following the FA Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on July 18, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Matthew Childs/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 18: Kieran Tierney and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal celebrate following the FA Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on July 18, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Matthew Childs/Pool via Getty Images) /
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There is a lot of uncertainty going into Arsenal’s trip to the blue side of Manchester.

We still don’t know whether or not it’s100% sure Kieran Tierney will be allowed to play for Arsenal against City following his “close contact” with a Scottish teammate Stuart Armstrong. At this stage we have to assume he won’t, while even if he is there is the concern over him not being able to train for a number of days, which will obviously impact Saturday’s lineup.

Thomas Partey has only just arrived and may not be fully integrated with the team due to a limited number of training sessions. A midfielder of his quality should still perform, but this isn’t FIFA and you cannot just plug into Arteta’s brain like Neo would and know what is wanted.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang picked up a knock in his last game and didn’t play for Gabon during the international break, however, all reports show that he is doing well and nothing suggests that he will be sitting out Saturday.

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Saturday’s opponents are none other than Arteta’s former side City, who’ve has bit-part start to the season with four points accumulated from their three matches. Opening day win over Wolves? Solid. Thumping home defeat to Leicester? Dreadful. Utterly insane draw away at Leeds? Not great.

It’s act three of the Arteta vs Guardiola tussle, tied at 1-1. We don’t really care about personal duels, but it does add some spice to an already mouth-watering affair.

Can Arsenal end a 70-month, 27-game run away at a ‘big six’ side in the Premier League without a win? Goodness gracious, we do hope so.

So, with that out of the way, here is what is likely to be our lineup at the Etihad Stadium – no doubting we will stick with the 3-4-3 formation.

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