Are the wheels coming off the Arsenal bandwagon? The North-Londoners have looked a shadow of themselves in recent weeks and defeat to Everton on Wednesday opened the gap between themselves and first place even further.
This Sunday, the Gunners are tasked with overcoming a Manchester City side that have lost just once at home since March and are clearly hurting following a poor run of results.
Despite this, the Gunners have an impressive record over their title rivals, having not suffered defeat to the Citizens since losing 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium in 2013.
Some of the Arsenal supporters were critical of the team’s performance in midweek against Everton as failure to convert chances, added with the defensive frailties, meant they lost away from home for the first time this season.
Nonetheless, Arsene Wenger can inspire another Gunners victory over the Citizens to get their title bid back on track. But he must pick this starting XI to ensure all three points.
GK: Petr Cech
It’s difficult to be critical of Cech but he’s one of a few players that regularly play in Arsenal’s back five, and they have only kept one clean sheet in eleven games.
At the Etihad, Cech must ensure his defence remains compact and at the ready to prevent City hurting the Gunners.
RB: Hector Bellerin
The return to fitness of Hector Bellerin could prove decisive as the Gunners go in pursuit of another Premier League title.
Bellerin was less than impressive against Everton in midweek and now must contain the deadly Kevin De Bruyne.
Nonetheless, Bellerin will look to make a difference on the overlap in a game that could decide Arsenal’s season.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
Without Mustafi alongside, the French defender struggled against Everton.
It wasn’t a memorable night for Koscielny as Romelu Lukaku dominated and bullied him for much of the match
Against City, Koscielny must try and contain the young Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho. His battle with the 20-year-old could ultimately decide the outcome of the contest.
CB: Gabriel Paulista
Gabriel Paulista is still yet to prove he’s of Arsenal standard but with Shkodran Mustafi injured and Per Mertesacker still on the mend, Wenger doesn’t have many alternatives heading into Sunday’s game.
And for all his indiscretions, the Brazilian defender does offer an abundance of pace – something that could be more important than strength or aerial ability against a City side with plenty of speed in attack.
LB: Nacho Monreal
Despite Seamus Coleman causing damage to the Arsenal side on Wednesday, Monreal should keep his place in the starting XI as his defensive security could prove essential for Arsene Wenger in attempting to contain Raheem Sterling.
Monreal rarely has two poor games for the Gunners and he must ensure his performance levels return to their very best this Sunday.
CM: Granit Xhaka
After a questionable start to his Arsenal career, summer signing Granit Xhaka appears to be coming into his own, playing key roles in wins over West Ham and Stoke City.
Against Manchester City, Xhaka will be instrumental in breaking up counter attacks and Guardiola’s free passing football. The Swiss international has never lost to a Pep Guardiola managed team.
CM: Francis Coquelin
With Aaron Ramsey expected to miss out due to injury, Francis Coquelin looks set to take the other midfield slot.
Coquelin and Xhaka have formed a good partnership in recent weeks and the Frenchman must ensure he protects the Arsenal defence to the highest standard if his side are to take three points this weekend.
CAM: Mesut Ozil
Big questions surround Mesut Ozil’s ability to hurt teams of the highest quality as he has regularly gone missing when the Gunners require him the most.
This season, however, Ozil has scored nine times already and the City clash would be the ideal game for the German international to strike double figures.
Feeding Alexis Sanchez will be the key to unlocking the City door, though.
RW: Theo Walcott
England winger Walcott recently scored his 100th club career goal and adding his 101st couldn’t come at a better time.
More significantly, Walcott’s pace against this out-of-form City side could be an invaluable asset for the Gunners – especially if he’s left one-on-one with Aleksandar Kolarov.
Can Walcott emulate his two-goal haul in 2013? Wenger will certainly hope so.
LW: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Much criticism has fallen upon the feet of Chamberlain lately but the English international is still showing signs of slow yet steady improvement.
The Ox’s pace against City’s ageing right-backs could well be the difference on Sunday, especially if they attempt to push up in typical Guardiola style.
Now is the time for Chamberlain to restore the faith shown in him by manager Arsene Wenger.
ST: Alexis Sanchez
With six goals in his last four Premier League games, there’s not a Arsenal player with higher confidence than the Chile international.
Indeed, we always knew Alexis Sanchez was a talented player but the central striking role appears to have pushed his game to an even higher level this year.
Nicolas Otamendi against Sanchez could be an interesting battle to say the very least.
