Predicting The Starting 11 For Arsenal When They Take On Machester City

Arsenal will encounter Manchester City on Sunday in a must-win clash at the Eastlands. Both have regained winning ways in recent weeks as the Gunners will look to regain ground on City, who, in second place, sits just one spot ahead of the North London giants on the table.

In what is set to be a thrilling, possibly aggressive encounter, Arsenal will look to derail the highly expensive Manchester City, who are beginning to live up to their expensive promise that their endless funds have bought.

The Gunners will enter the game high on confidence, having thrashed Ukraine giants Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 in the Champions League. Prior to their European conquer, Arsene Wenger’s men overcame a 1-0 deficit to defeat a doughty Birmingham outfit 2-1.

A win for Wenger and his men will bring hope back to the Arsenal faithful and potentially reinstate their presence as genuine title contenders. However, a loss will surely all but decimate Arsenal’s Premier League aspirations.

Wenger’s men will be more than confident they can suffice a desired result, with many squad members admitting City do not boast team spirit like the Gunners do.

Nonetheless, let’s predict a starting XI for the Gunners.

Goalkeeper

Predominant first choice shot-stopper Manuel Almunia is still short of fitness, having succumbed to an elbow injury last month against West Bromwich Albion. However, Deputy Lukasz Fabianski has performed in an assuring manner for the last four matches and is overflowing with confidence.

Meanwhile, Vito Mannone has accepted a loan spell with Hull City until January with hopes of reinstating himself into Arsenal regime. This ensures Wojciech Szczensy will once again deputize.

Defenders

The Arsenal defence is once again subsided, with Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscienly still absent with respective injuries. Wenger would have no doubt been keen to utilize Vermaelen’s imposing presence to conquer the likes of Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor.

However, the Belgium’s Achilles injury has worsened, and he is not expected to return until November. This means Wenger will once again have to rely on his third and fourth choice centre halves Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou.

The pair has performed credibly in Arsenal's last two encounters, and are more than capable of fulfilling the defensive duties.

Albeit both have to ensure they keep up with the tenacious and quick Manchester City forward line alongside maintaining their dominance in the air.

Bacary Sagna returns from a thigh injury succumbed on international duty. Emmanuel Eboue will return to the bench but is expected to start. Sagna will have his hands full dealing with the likes of James Milner and David Silva, but Sagna’s strength and speed combination should be more than useful.

Gael Clichy played against Birmingham City and midweek against Shakhtar, which raises the question whether Wenger plans to utilize Kieran Gibbs. However, the Frenchman may opt to use experience of physicality and play a somewhat fatigued Clichy and play Gibbs midweek against Newcastle in the League Cup.

Midfielders

Arsenal will be bolstered by a fully fit captain and maestro Cesc Fabregas, who completed 63 minutes unscathed against Shakhtar on Tuesday night. The Spaniard will take the right central role with Alexandre Song taking on his usual defensive midfield role.

Song’s role will be pivotal as the Cameroonian man must ensure he find the correct balance between attacking and defending. If the 23-year-old continues his form, and is able to marshal down the City attack, the Gunners will thrive.

Abou Diaby will start in the left midfield role. The Frenchman’s imposing figure and lanky legs will be a big asset.

Unfortunately due to a red card sustained against Birmingham, teenage sensation Jack Wilshere, who has easily been Arsenal’s best and most consistent performer in the opening round, will miss the City encounter.

Forwards

A tantalizing and tough challenge for the Arsenal front line, as the City defence is where Arsenal can counter. Robin van Persie is still out injured with an ankle injury and won’t return until November. Andrei Arshavin was rested to the bench against Shakhtar Donetsk, and will be reinstated to the left wing. Playmaker Samir Nasri will start on the right wing alternating with the midfielders.

Theo Walcott is officially fully fit and received a short cameo mid-week, but is expected to be an impact off the bench rather than as a starter. Nicklas Bendnter is also fit and is likely to appear.

Substitutes

The seven places on Wenger’s bench should be held by Wojciech Szczensy as the backup keeper, and Kieran Gibbs and Emmaneul Eboue will be the backup defenders. Denilson, Tomas Rosicky, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott are the backup attackers.

This game is set to be a thrilling, decisive challenge for the Gunners, who are more than capable of defeating the big spenders Manchester City.