Manchester City vs. Arsenal: Picking a Combined XI on Form This Season
This weekend, Manchester City and Arsenal face each other in what has effectively become a play-off for third place in the Premier League.
However, what if the two clubs could form a combined XI for their squads? Would they have a side good enough to win the Premier League at a canter?
In this piece, we pick the best team based on their performances this season. That means some top-quality players who have missed long periods of the campaign are left on the sidelines. It also means there are a few surprises in store.
Go to the next slide to find out who made the cut.
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
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This is one of the most closely fought battles in the entire XI: Petr Cech and Joe Hart are both outstanding goalkeepers. However, in this instance the nod goes to the experienced former Chelsea man.
Both men have kept 15 clean sheets this season, but Cech has reached that landmark in one fewer game, making him the current front-runner for the Golden Glove award. According to Squawka, he has also averaged 2.85 saves per goal, while Hart has only been forced into 2.09. That means that, as a rule, Cech has had to work harder for his shut-outs.
Right-Back: Hector Bellerin
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The PFA voted Hector Bellerin as the best right-back in the Premier League, so it’s no surprise he sees off the competition from the Manchester City players to be named in this XI.
City have used former Gunner Bacary Sagna regularly at right-back and also have Pablo Zabaleta in the squad. However, with both men now arguably past their peak, Bellerin is the obvious choice.
His pace and skill make him one of the most exciting full-backs in Europe. What’s most thrilling is that, at just 21, he stands to get better and better.
Centre-Half: Per Mertesacker
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This may be the most controversial selection in the entire team. Per Mertesacker has made some major errors this season and at one stage even lost his place to Gabriel Paulista.
However, his numbers are incredibly good. According to Squawka, the German makes an average of seven defensive actions per game. He's also won an incredible 71 percent of his tackles and 78 percent of his headed duels.
For all his flaws, there is no Manchester City defender who can match those figures. On balance, the giant German has to be granted a place, meaning there is no place in the side for either Eliaquim Mangala or Nicolas Otamendi.
It's worth noting that had Vincent Kompany played more football this season, he would surely have been included.
Centre-Half: Laurent Koscielny
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Laurent Koscielny has matured into one of the finest centre-halves in the Premier League. He was always blessed with great athleticism, but he has now added the cool head required to make key decisions at the back.
Koscielny used to be prone to errors in judgement and relied on his pace to get him out of trouble. These days, he has the experience to avoid those scenarios. The Frenchman would grace any team in the Premier League and is an automatic pick for this side.
Left-Back: Nacho Monreal
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Nacho Monreal might not be the most glamorous name in these two squads, but he's certainly one of the most consistent performers. Kieran Gibbs has barely got a look-in this season, so reliable has the Spaniard been in the left-back spot.
That's not to dismiss the performances of Aleksandar Kolarov, who has been an effective marauding presence on that flank for City.
However, Monreal's defensive steadiness gives him the edge. This choice means the entire back five is comprised of Arsenal players, which potentially reflects the fact that the Gunners have conceded four fewer goals than City this season.
Holding Midfield: Fernandinho
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Finally, a Manchester City player gets the nod. In a season in which some of City's biggest stars haven't quite performed as expected, Fernandinho has been one of their unsung heroes.
His role is inevitably an unheralded one. While City's flair players bomb on, he is tasked with holding at the base of the midfield. However, it's a job he does superbly. What's more, he also has the technical ability to engage in City's passing game when required.
Last season, Francis Coquelin was one of the most impressive defensive midfielders in the country. However, this time round, his campaign has been beset by injury and poor form. Fernandinho simply has to be the holding player in this team.
Central Midfield: Mohamed Elneny
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It might seem absurd to include a player who did not make his Premier League debut until March. However, so dramatic has been Mohamed Elneny's impact on the Arsenal team that he has to be in this XI.
Frankly, there isn't loads of competition. Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere have had their seasons shortened by injury. Aaron Ramsey has not nailed down a regular role in the Arsenal side, while at Manchester City, Yaya Toure has looked a shadow of his former self.
By contrast, Elneny has exceeded expectations with a string of efficient performances in the middle of the park. He's not a spectacular player, but for Arsenal, he's become a very important one.
Right Wing: Kevin De Bruyne
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Until he was ruled out by a knee injury in January, Kevin De Bruyne had been one of the Premier League's outstanding players.
He scored 12 goals and made 12 assists for Manchester City in his first few months with the club. Had he remained fit for the remainder of the season, perhaps the title picture would have looked somewhat different.
De Bruyne has since returned to the team and once again demonstrated his class. Despite his lengthy lay-off, he has done more than enough to warrant inclusion.
No. 10: Mesut Ozil
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Mesut Ozil may have faded away slightly in the second half of the season, but he's still a certain pick for this XI. A total of 18 Premier League assists is a remarkable record, and if Arsenal had a clinical striker, perhaps that tally would be even higher.
This is the first season in which Ozil has looked truly settled in north London. For a time, it looked as if he was destined to propel them to a first title in 12 years, but ultimately other areas of the team let him down.
Nevertheless, Ozil would be a great fit in this team. The prospect of him combining with Kevin De Bruyne is certainly a mouthwatering one.
Left Wing: Alexis Sanchez
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Conventional wisdom says that Alexis Sanchez has endured a difficult second season in north London.
However, his numbers are still very good. According to Squawka, 28 Premier League appearances have yielded 12 goals. He's scored 16 times in all competitions. In the Premier League, he has created 55 chances for his team-mates, four of which have been converted into assists.
Alexis might not have been as explosively effective as in 2013/14, but he still deserves to be chosen for this combined XI.
Centre-Forward: Sergio Aguero
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Of course it is Sergio Aguero who is named as the starting centre-forward for this team.
It helps that both Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott have suffered a thoroughly disappointing second half of the season. However, even if they were at their very best, they would stand little chance of ousting the brilliant Argentine.
Aguero is the most lethal finisher in the Premier League. With Mesut Ozil behind him, he might be even more deadly.
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