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Predicted Arsenal XI vs Man City: Does Arteta stick or twist for crucial clash?

By James Cormack

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 1, 2023. - Arsenal won the game 4-1. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / 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 GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 1, 2023. - Arsenal won the game 4-1. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / 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 GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal supporters have long booked 26 April as judgement day. Man City away: the night the Premier League title race could be decided.

The Gunners have failed to win at the Etihad since early 2015, but they’ll likely have to on Wednesday night if they’re to secure their first league title in 20 years. Their recent malaise has blasted the door open for Pep Guardiola’s side at the summit, with the Citizens currently enjoying a 16-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Arsenal, meanwhile, haven’t been beaten in 90 minutes since City defeated them in the reverse fixture, but three consecutive draws mean their lead at the top is just five points having played two games more than their title rivals.

The Gunners’ dip has led to many calling for a systematic switch for Wednesday’s trip, and there’s no doubt that this is the biggest team selection of Arteta’s season thus far. Does he stick or twist?

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Man City

Here’s the starting XI we expect Arteta to pick for the crucial game at the Etihad.

Rob Holding is likely to retain his place despite cries for a system change. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Rob Holding is likely to retain his place despite cries for a system change. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – It was not Ramsdale’s finest hour last time out, but Arsenal will need him to produce an Anfield-esque performance between the sticks on Wednesday if they’re to walk away with all three points.

Ben White (RB) – Some have discussed the possibility of moving White to centre-back and bringing either Oleksandr Zinchenko or Kieran Tierney over to right-back. I understand why there are calls for such a change, but I don’t think Arteta makes the alteration for the biggest game of the season.

Rob Holding (CB) – With Arteta unlikely to change the system, Holding should retain his place in the team. He performed pretty well in the first half against Erling Haaland in the FA Cup, but this will be a much greater task for the Englishman.

Gabriel (CB) – I bet the Brazilian misses Saliba more than anyone.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – The former Man City star returns to the Etihad for the second time since his departure after he came off the bench in the FA Cup fourth-round tie.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (DM) – Partey is another player suffering from Saliba’s absence, and he was tasked with having a more prominent role in the build-up against the Saints last time out. His form has dipped in recent weeks, and Arsenal desperately need the Ghanaian at his absolute best in this one.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – Xhaka missed Friday night’s draw through illness and Arteta has admitted he’s still a doubt for this game. However, I don’t think the Swiss midfielder will allow himself to miss such a crucial contest.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – The skipper inspired a late comeback at the Emirates on Friday and has sought to take responsibility in difficult times. These are the sorts of games Odegaard has been accused of ghosting in the past, but perhaps he’s been saving his big game magic for the most significant of the lot?

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – Saka put the team on his back at times against Southampton and scored Arsenal’s only goal in the reverse fixture, albeit from the spot. He’ll surely be emboldened by Nathan Aké’s likely absence. Our starboy holds the key in this one.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) – This will be the first time Jesus faces up against his former club since he joined the Gunners last summer.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – Martinelli has often been the one that’s produced on the big occasion, and his rich vein of form continued on Friday as he swept home Arsenal’s first. The Brazilian has a big role to play in transition on Wednesday.