We have lost 12 of our last 13 Premier League games against Man City. The only win out of those was in this very season at Home. We haven’t really playing well against them from some time now, having lost all our last 7 as visitors. And there is a chance to do the double on them since 2007-08 season.
Man City are unbeaten in their last 38 games at home in all competition, last time they failed to register a win was against Brentford in 2022; their longest run without a defeat since 1919-1921. They have one of the best managers in the world, probably ‘the’ best who has assembled one of ‘the’ best teams on the planet. We have seen how they didn’t allow Klopp and his Liverpool team with the likes of Salah, Mane, Firmino and VVD to win more than one Premier League title at their heights. We know they will not allow us as well.
Team News
We are having some luck. John Stones and Kyle Walker are out for today’s game – both picked up an injury in the international break. However, Ederson, Akanji and De Bruyne are fit to play likely having recovered from their not-so-serious injuries.
We have our own challenges though. Saka and Gabriel pulled out from their international duty and it remains to be seen if they can make it. Martinelli was out because of a foot injury and is doubtful for the game. Missing both Saka and Martinelli creates a problem for us, since we only have Trossard as a quality back up. I don’t want to see Nelson starting against City with almost no game time recently. The other option would be to put Gabriel Jesus on the right wing but too many un-tried changes can disrupt the chemistry and it’s not one of those games where you need to try new things. Lets see who makes it before the game.
Personally, I would pray for Saka to make it. He has a score to settle with Foden. Kai up top has proved better than Jesus and I will stick to it. In the midfield, Jorgi allowing Rice to play an advance role has helped us. We need Odegaard to continue his form, and we need our defence to be solid like we had. We need Raya to keep his calm and concentration because the City players are going to test him.
Fire and blood
At this point, players are aware of the game Mikel wants to play. At this stage, both the managers would have figured out each other’s game plan. Quality wise, City might have an upper hand because of De Bruyne and Haaland but then Saliba had kept Haaland in his pocket whenever we have played them and we have our own KDB in Odegaard. At this stage, I would say the only disadvantage we have over City is that we are playing on their ground.
Most of the time, you win because of your game plan. You find a way to over crowd the opposition box, you define a strategy to overload the fullbacks, you play a false 9, and if you are Brentford, you find a way to let them have all the ball and counter attack whenever you get a chance. Some other time requires fire and blood. Today’s the day!
The winner of this match will be decided by whoever is willing to sweat more, keep the fire burning for 90min, run and press endlessly and put their body on the line when needed.
The winner of this match will go on to win Premier League. Lets see how much Arteta can motivate a group of 15 players.
Right, we should thank the gods – the old and the new – for the football is back. And what a way to begin. Hope you are doing well, hopefully it ends even better.
Cheers!
Saka just seen getting off the coach – fingers crossed.
Marc
Saka is such a star, I think he’s qualified as a coach driver to add even more value at the club. 🚌🚌🚌
Call me a die-hard (!) but I’m watching the Women’s game at Molyneux rather than the bindips. Arsenal fans much louder than the Pensioners. I bet Welbeck was elated when he scored.
Footmob has Trossard at LW with no Martinelli. Havertz at 9 and Jorginho at 8 next to Rice and the rest are the usual subjects
Maya in goal. Any thoughts?
Tony
I’d say this is one game where Jorginho should start. He’s a big time player and he’ll keep things ticking in midfield. I think he played against Liverpool and made a difference.
Could BHA equalize?
KP
Totally agree Rice has given Jorginho time he needs on the ball and to pivot with Rice both ways.
It makes us solid. Like we’ve all said Rice is the difference maker and why we have a good say in the outcome of the league.
Once Rice settled this season we have produced some good football to be challenging now.
I’m staying with my 4:1 prediction.🤔
BHA have fought hard and given Pool many hold your breath moments, but Pool go back to top.
Good game for the neutrals but not Gooners.
Any predictions lads?
OK. I’m going for a 2-nil win.
So Jesus wide left with no Walker. Time to break their home record and the Pool win should make us fight harder to be back to top.
that’s the first time Klopp has defeated DeZerbi, which is why the latter manager is so highly rated, amongst those in the know…as for today’s affair, having no Marts is a real blow on both ends of the pitch…looks to be a somewhat “faux” defensive setup, as per usual against the top clubs or in knockout affairs…problem is Jorginho isn’t defensive whatsoever, so maybe on this day Rice will remain deep and Jorginho will try to unlock things on the left side of the pitch…real boon for us that Walker is absent, unfortunately we have no one with real pace out there to take full advantage…that said, they’re ripe for the plucking and if we showed any ability to counter with pace and numbers, we could come out on top…as for all this Havertz banter, until he does anything that reminds me of why he was so highly coveted in the first place, he will remain as the world’s most expensive and gangly placeholder
Jesus seriously? WTF?
Agree TRVL, unfortunately the stale City of recent games is at full throttle. If we can contain the first 30, the Etihad will quieten. Then assert our game.
RIP Rocky
I would have much rather we started Nelson out wide with Jesus in the middle, so as to properly attack their most vulnerable aspects, but you all know full-well that this would never happen under MA…I’m assuming Jesus is playing because he was none too happy about being healthy yet not seeing the pitch ahead of Havertz…I can only imagine what Tross feels about this predicament…that said, I’m sure he’s the quieter of the two and these days the loudest asshole in the room usually wins
We don’t have any answers to the City onslaught.
this City squad is far from a final product…they’ve suffered some injury setbacks, but they’ve never really replaced their wide side players…last year they got away with it because teams hadn’t figured out how to defend Haaland quite yet, but now that they have a blueprint of sorts, which means limiting those who provide the best service, they’re much easier to play against…of course, this will undoubtedly be short-lived, so long as Pep stays…of course, all things being relative, as they’re still a top-top team in world football, it’s just that this is the weakest Euro crop in some time
Raya reminding me of John Lukic – or Johnny Bostic as he was known. Always stuck to his line
Jesus is only good for false 9 hard work rate being a nuisance
setbacks and they’ve never