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!
this isn’t too dissimilar from our first meeting, a snipe hunt with a rather sneaky 1-0 scoreline in our favour…fact is, this isn’t nearly the same City squad as last season, in that they haven’t even secured all 3 points against anyone in the top 5, so if we want to change our narrative we have to be willing to take the required chances
our subs, on the heels of City’s, seems to suggest that MA believes a draw is a victory…we’re upgrding our defensive side of things, meanwhile they’ve tried to upgrade their offensive options
Partey and Tomi coming in for Jorginho and
Meanwhile Halland trying to disturb Jesus with small talk.
doesn’t mean we can’t win, but this has been a competely gutless tactical affair by MA…I kind of knew that was in the offing when he declared in his pre-match presser that he was going for it
Finally some attack who can score
Set piece can we?
one of MA’s yes men must have reminded him that offence does matter today…even still I would have opted for more speed
Last dice
Tossard and Martinelli coming in. Tossard already showing how El Bastardo was so wrong.
Havertz still in
I get the whole getting 4 of 6 points against City narrative, but let’s not forget that context matters…Pool won today and, like I stated earlier, City have been far below average against the top sides
right now we look to be living on borrowed time
it will be intriguing to see who Marts replaces…could it be for the invisible giraffe or could Saka be making way
as it’s Saka off, that’s likely not going to change our tactical pursuits
it’s hard to believe that no one’s been injured today with the refs whistle firmly in his pocket…don’t get me wrong, I like that gig so long as the match doesn’t get too scrappy
that’s why playing a RB on the left can be problematic…thankfully nothing came of it
A dent in our title aspirations and good call Norg I think you called the draw.
A game we needed to get 3 points so now we rely on others.
0-0
Which was my original hunch , but was not confident to express
sorry but I’m not having it…you can package this anyway you want, and some will undoubtedly heap praise on the manager, but this isn’t the kind of outing I expect from us, tactically speaking, after all that money spent and up against a side with numerous defensive injuries and not a single victory against a top 5 side
If Pep had taken off Halland and kept Foden and Grealish , their game would have been different.
Halland had a day off . Also playing at the back didn’t give him space for his runs
I’m still digesting that but my overall emotion is positive. Particularly when one considers the last 7 or 8 times we’ve played there.
Arsenal women beat Chelsea 1-0 in extra time at the Women’s league cup! 🏆
Marc
How you doing with all those beers inside you mate? I hope the bedspin is manageable tonight.