Unai Emery’s Gunners will take on Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday in a crunch encounter as two massive English clubs will look to gain all three points against each other. Arsenal is currently in the top four and will hope to remain there till the end of May while 2nd placed City will be hoping to bounce back and pile on the pressure on leaders Liverpool.
Since Arsene Wenger’s departure in the summer, Emery has done quite a commendable job at the Emirates but there is still massive scope of improvement for the North London giants. Back to back victories against London rivals West Ham United and Chelsea were all about the results barring the performances but a 3-1 loss in the FA Cup against Manchester United was a slight setback. However, a scrappy win over strugglers Cardiff City mid-week helped Arsenal into fourth place.
But Arsenal will be well aware that they need to be extremely sharp when they travel to the City of Manchester this weekend as Pep Guardiola’s men will be hoping to return to winning ways after a shocking result against Rafael Benitez’ Newcastle United on Matchday 24. Goals in the second half by Solomon Rondon and Matt Richie gave the Magpies a very much needed three points at St James’ Park after Sergio Aguero opened the scoring for the visitors in the first minute.
A serious battle awaits, but if 14th placed Newcastle United churned out a result against title contenders Manchester City why can’t Arsenal this weekend? Surely, the Arsenal faithful will be buzzing but defensive injury woes continue as Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin, Sokratis Papastathopoulos remain sidelined. Arsenal club captain Laurent Koscielny returned to full training and could be a big boost in central defense after scans showed that the Frenchman didn’t suffer a broken jaw against the Red Devils.
But the real bonus for Arsenal is at the other end of the pitch in the form of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. The deadly duo seemed to have formed a solid partnership and when switched on is as lethal as anyone in the game. Even Barcelona’s on-loan midfielder Denis Suarez, who joined Arsenal on transfer deadline day, is available for selection for Emery as the Spanish boss has worked with the 25-year-old in the past. Alex Iwobi and Lucas Torreira have also proved their worth in gold but it’s unlikely that playmaker and so-called ‘luxury midfielder’ Mesut Ozil would start the game.
However, Newcastle might have given an insight to other clubs as to how City can be defeated as Benitez’ tactics worked on cue. Setting up solidly and with discipline in defense Newcastle frustrated City and Arsenal should try and do the same on their travel. A resolute performance with stern defending could carve out an opening for a clinical counter for Arsenal. It will not be easy by any means but Arsenal will have to go out there with a plan put into flawless practice.
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