Arsenal are set to welcome Premier League leaders Manchester City to a frosty Emirates stadium with the Gunners hoping to avoid defeat at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s men for the third time this season.
Arsenal have a make or break sort of match on their hands when they face Manchester City for the third time this season. Having lost in the league at the Etihad earlier, Manchester City yet again defeated the Gunners in the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday for Pep Guardiola to claim his first trophy since becoming City’s manager.
Arsene Wenger’s side will be looking to extract revenge and avoid a third defeat against Manchester City in the same season since Chelsea did it back in 2005-06. A win against Manchester City could also kick-start the Gunner’s form to finish the season brightly something they might need considering their form all season long.
Manchester City, on the other hand, will extend their lead on top of the Premier League table with a win against Arsenal, seemingly putting them in a high position to wrap up the title earlier than anticipated.
Arsene Wenger is set to welcome Petr Cech back in goal after David Ospina featured in some games, including the Carabao Cup final defeat. The former Chelsea goalkeeper is still on the lookout for his 200th clean sheet in the Premier League as Arsenal have failed to keep one in their last 9 games.
Arsene Wenger’s biggest concern would be the injury absence of Nacho Monreal who limped off during the first half of the Carabao Cup Final to be replaced by Sead Kolasinac. On the other hand, this could be an opportunity for the Bosnian to show his capabilities and win his place back in the Gunners line-up, as the defender has been out of sorts since November and saw his position taken by Monreal and briefly by youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
In midfield, Wenger is likely to stick with his pairing of Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman has only returned from a small injury lay off, but if Wenger decides to opt against playing him considering he played on Sunday too, then Wilshere could be put in his place in midfield.
Arsene Wenger would be relishing at the idea of playing Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Ozil and Aubameyang together again for the first time since the massive victory against Everton at home. Since then due to Arsenal’s involvement in the Carabao Cup as well as the Europa League, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang are ineligible to play respectively.
Lacazette’s injury lay-off means Aubameyang and Welbeck are Arsenal’s only fit strikers and the Englishman would start from the bench.
