How Arsenal can beat Manchester City at the Etihad

The midweek stakes could not be any higher as Arsenal and Manchester City go head-to-head in a crucial Premier League title decider.

Three consecutive draws for the Gunners have dramatically altered the title-race complexion and shifted momentum back towards Pep Guardiola’s treble chasers, with defeat or even another stalemate on Wednesday enough to take the dream out of our hands.

A downturn in form coincided with the back injury sustained by William Saliba last month, and the 22-year-old’s continued absence may force Mikel Arteta to consider his options in an effort to end the champions’ indomitable streak.

3 ways Arsenal can come out on top against Man City in Premier League title decider

Hope is quickly dissipating from north London, but title glory is still within reach and here are three ways Arsenal can secure that all-important win at the Etihad.

1. Switch to three at the back

Social media is awash with theories about how best to set up our porous backline against the free-scoring champions, and one solution might be to implement a pragmatic three-man defence.

While a drastic move on paper, the additional rear-guard cover would allow Arsenal to keep many tenets of their current 4-3-3 system, including the ability to build from the back and even attack with a five-pronged offensive unit.

However, it may offer us added protection in defending the half spaces and also allows for a 3-2 shape between the centre-backs and double pivot that would improve foundations at both ends, thereby restoring some much-needed compactness and making us harder to beat.

Inadequate tools prompted Arteta to be cautious in 2020 to great effect, and similar measures could be in order on Wednesday.

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