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Arsenal predicted lineup vs Man City: A chance to rotate?

By Rob Worthington

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1202351530, 1182084551 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal (L) and Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City. Arsenal and Manchester City meet in a FA Cup Semi Final at Wembley Stadium on July 18,2020 in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to the FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 27, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on October 19, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1202351530, 1182084551 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal (L) and Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City. Arsenal and Manchester City meet in a FA Cup Semi Final at Wembley Stadium on July 18,2020 in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to the FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 27, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on October 19, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images) /
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ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Nicolas Pépé of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between SL Benfica and Arsenal FC at Stadio Olimpico on February 18, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Danilo Di Giovanni/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Nicolas Pépé of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between SL Benfica and Arsenal FC at Stadio Olimpico on February 18, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Danilo Di Giovanni/Getty Images) /

Nicolas Pépé (RW) – After Nicolas Pépé was named on the bench for the second consecutive game on Thursday, Arsenal’s social media community erupted into fury. It has surprised many that a figure who finally seemed to be finding his groove in an Arsenal shirt has been cast aside in recent games.

It’s important Saka is rested on Sunday, so Pépé will be given a chance to reclaim his spot.

Alex Lacazette (ST) – Through the middle, Alexandre Lacazette should start seeing Aubameyang drop down to the bench. Auba had an off night against Benfica but Arsenal fans should take encouragement from the positions he found himself in.

Give him a rest to regain some fitness ahead of a second leg fixture against Benfica where the Gabonese international will know more chances are coming his way.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – Finally, on the left hand-side, Gabriel Martinelli should return to the starting lineup. He came on as a striker against Benfica and struggled to influence the game, but that can be ascribed to a lack of sharpness. The teenager posed a constant threat against City in first half of the League Cup quarter-final in December and will be looking to have a similar impact tomorrow.

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