Manchester City vs. Arsenal: Five Potential Match Winners for the Gunners
Arsenal take on Manchester City on Sunday at the City of Manchester in what is expected to be a pulsating encounter. It is a game of huge significance for both teams, who will look to earn all three points available. The Gunners will have their work cut out against a star studded Manchester City team, who are currently second in the table.
The Gunners will be missing the services of key players like Robin Van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen for the encounter, but with the return to fitness of Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott, things are definitely looking better on the injury front for Arsenal.
Manchester City have, arguably, the strongest squad in the Premier League, and will undoubtedly fancy their chances against Arsenal at home. It will be a huge task for Arsenal to gain all three points again with such a strong opposition, but with players like Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Andrei Arshavin in their arsenal, a win for Arsenal is a possible result for sure.
Arsenal will have to be at their best to defeat City, and here are five Gunners, who could prove to be the difference for the Gunners.
Teams:
Arsenal:
Lukasz Fabianski, Gael Clichy, Johan Djourou, Sebastien Squillaci, Bacary Sagna, Alex Song, Abou Diaby, Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin, Samir Nasri, Marouane Chamakh
Manchester City:
Joe Hart, Jerome Boateng, Kolo Toure, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Nigel De Jong, Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure, James Milner, David Silva, Carlos Tevez
Theo Walcott
1 of 5
Theo Walcott made a substitute appearance against Shakhtar Donetsk, and he will be in the squad for this important game. Though he might not make the starting 11, he will have an important role to play for the Gunners. His pace and finishing ability will trouble defenders, and if he can reproduce his superb form, he showed in the initial games in this season, he could be a game changer for Arsenal.
Walcott's pace down the wings is a great asset, and he will look to exploit Joleon Lescott, who will most probably play at left back for City. He will still be a little short of match fitness, which is why he might find his name on the list of substitutes but expect him to make some speedy runs down the right flank at some stage in the game at the City of Manchester.
Alex Song
2 of 5
Alex Song is one of the most important players for Arsenal, and he will have a major role to play in deciding the outcome of the game. Manchester City boast of strong physical players in Yaya Toure, Nigel De Jong and Gareth Barry and Song will be crucial in ensuring that the Gunners are not muscled out in midfield.
Also, he will try to orchestrate attacks from the back and look to start counter attacks for Arsenal. He has improved in the attacking side of his game but should ensure that he does not neglect his defensive duties in the game. In the absence of Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny due to injuries, Song will have to shield the defence to a great deal, and his performance will be vital for the Gunners against City.
Andrei Arshavin
3 of 5
Arsene Wenger reiterated his faith in Andrei Arshavin by backing the diminutive Russian to be at his best in the coming weeks. Although Arshavin has not been at his best, he has got pretty decent statistics and is currently among the top goalscorers for the Gunners. Arshavin came on as a late substitute in the game against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, but it is still probable that he does start the game at the City of Manchester.
Andrei Arshavin has shown glimpses of his brilliance in this season but has surely not played to his potential. If he can weave his magic on Sunday, then the Manchester City defenders will have a tough task on hand, and Arsenal will have a great chance to defeat Manchester City at their home.
Samir Nasri
4 of 5
Samir Nasri is one of the most creative players in the Arsenal squad, and he has had an impressive season, so far, despite missing around three weeks of action at the start of the season due to an injury sustained in the game against Liverpool at Anfield. Nasri occupied the central role, when Fabregas was injured during the latter stages of the last season and has already played in a number of matches in a role behind the striker in this season.
Nasri is a versatile midfielder and plays on the flanks when captain Cesc Fabregas is fit for the Gunners. He was not prolific in the last season but is currently Arsenal's leading goalscorer with six goals to his name. He has been excellent for the Gunners and will command a starting place against Manchester City.
Cesc Fabregas
5 of 5
Cesc Fabregas' return to fitness is a huge boost for the Gunners, as the Spanish playmaker is easily Arsenal's most creative midfielder and is the heartbeat of the team. Captain Cesc can inspire the Gunners to produce a great performance at the City of Manchester stadium. He was Arsenal's leader in goals and assists in the last season and remains one of Arsenal's most important players.
Though he is only 23, he has immense experience at the highest level, and his battles with Nigel De Jong, Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry will be interesting. He will create chances for Arsenal to score, and the Gunners need to make full use of the opportunities that they are provided with.
Fabregas played for an hour against Shakhtar Donetsk and scored a goal from the penalty spot, to register his fourth goal for the season. He will lead the Gunners on Sunday and can prove to be the difference between the two sides.
