Mikel Arteta could tweak the Arsenal lineup for the FA Cup clash with Manchester City while retaining several first-teamers to create a balance.
Arsenal are set to face a stern test against Manchester City that will determine if they reach the next round of the FA Cup. A clash at the Etihad awaits Mikel Arteta, but this is a different Gunners side coming to Manchester.
Arsenal are top of the Premier League table, and the clash with Manchester City later in February is already billed as a potential title decider. Arteta will likely want to win that but not at the cost of giving up in the cup competition.
Arsenal have produced some good results against Man City in the FA Cup over the years. And Arteta will hope history repeats itself. During his pre-match press conference, the Spanish manager suggested there were no fresh injury concerns. However, a report by Daily Mirror has suggested that Emile Smith Rowe was not spotted with the travelling squad.
Arteta could hand new arrival Leandro Trossard his full debut against Manchester City. The manager did have few words on the Belgian, mainly after he made a decent impact during his cameo against Manchester United.
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Arteta said, “That’s what I like. I see a player that is willing to make things happen and is especially composed in the final third and is something we needed to add to the team. Straight away, he had a beautiful impact on the team to help us to win.”
The Arsenal boss also touched upon Mohamed Elneny’s latest injury, suggesting he could be a long-term concern. He said, “I don’t think he will be. He had some issues with his knee that we are assessing at the moment, and I’ll have to see how he evolves in the next couple of days. There are some concerns, especially as Mo never complains about anything but let’s see.”
Regarding the potential starting lineup, Matt Turner could replace Aaron Ramsdale in goal. Takehiro Tomiyasu might come in at right-back. Kieran Tierney will likely replace Oleksandr Zinchenko on the other flank. William Saliba might retain his place and keep Rob Holding on the bench. But Jakub Kiwior should make his debut and allow Arteta to rest Gabriel Magalhaes.
As Elneny is absent, Thomas Partey might keep his place in midfield. But Fabio Vieira should replace Granit Xhaka on the left side. Martin Odegaard will retain his spot and captain Arsenal. Smith Rowe’s potential absence could force Arteta to tweak his lineup further. The idea could revolve around playing Trossard on the left, Eddie Nketiah centrally and Bukayo Saka on the right side of the attack.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Turner; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney; Odegaard, Partey, Vieira; Saka, Nketiah, Trossard
