Arsenal v Man City Line-up and short Preview

TotalArsenal

What to say about this game that has not been said already? We can talk about the line-up, but it’s so hard to tell whether Saka or indeed Partey will be fit enough to play. We could talk about the GK who will start today, and who would replace Bukayo if indeed he does not start. I am going to leave it all to Mikel, and of course you may fellow bloggers.

It is important not to lose today for obvious reasons, and a win would be sweet, very, very sweet. Yet, I don’t believe this game will determine much at this stage of the season. Citeh, as we have seen tend to finish strong and we have only just started. I think we will benefit psychologically from winning or even not losing, and we owe it to ourselves to turn our excellent recent home games against them into a result this time round.

Preferred Line-Up:

Raya

Partey-Sal-Gab-Tomi

Rice

Ode-Havertz

Saka/Nelson-Jesus-Tros

That is possibly our strongest starting line-up with Timber out.

We need focus, energy and belief.

Come On You Rip Roaring Gunners.

By TotalArsenal.

68 thoughts on “Arsenal v Man City Line-up and short Preview”

  • As always, it will come down to individual moments. If we convert some chances and minimize mistakes, we could beat them clearly. I would’ve gone with a false 9 instead of Nketiah personally.

  • Very intelligent tactics by Arteta. We equalled them in basically every aspect in the first half. Periods of control for both sides. We can continue in the same manner and have a good % chance at a draw and a even with a win. This is the formula we should take to the Emptihad and future matches against them. I’d like to see Partey come on soon because of worry about Jorginho with a yellow.

  • Perfect starting 11 in hindsight. Subs obviously made the goal, so again perfect from the manager.

  • We will take the win, and it is about time to get that monkey off our backs. Tactical, drab at times, but it was all about the result, not the entertainment.
    Right timing too, the subs, because as he came on, Martinelli pushed Walker back a bit; Partey seemed to help everyone retain composure when he came on. Plus, the goal came from a combination of substitutes … Partey to Tomi. Tomi to Havertz and Havertz to Martinelli…. Goal!

  • Thomas knocks a long ball into the box, won by Tomi (Tomi!) in the air with a cushioned header to Kai who chests it down and lays off beautifully to MARTINELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
    Glória a Deus!! The monkey is slain. Well, at least shrugged off, even without Rodri and KDB this is a truly satisfying result.
    My highlights are Mikel’s game management, the control and confidence of the team to play around and through City, Declan’s magnificent motor, Ben’s nonchalant nutmeg of Doku, William’s pocketing of Haaland, the ardency of the crowds support…

    Ah, Shake your hair girl with your ponytail…

  • Results from last weekend:-

    For the week:-

    1st Stuart with 5/6 plus most correct predictions = 9 Points
    2nd PB with 3/6 plus 2 correct scores = 7 Points
    3rd Total with 4/6 plus 1 correct score = 6 Points
    4th Eris with 3/6 plus 1 correct score = 5 Points
    5th Kev with 2/6 plus 1 correct score = 4 Points
    6th GN5 with 2/6 = 2 Points
    No Predictions from OX10
    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Season to date:-

    1st Stuart 44.00
    2nd Total 41.00
    3rd PB with 39.33
    4th Eris with 35.33
    5th OX10 with 33.00
    6th GN5 with 32.00
    7th Kev with 27.33

  • Next weekends selections:-

    Bulgaria v Lithuania *
    Hungary v Serbia *
    Slovenia v Finland *
    Northern Ireland v San Marino *
    Norway v Spain *
    Wales v Croatia *

  • It’s surprisingly quiet here. Does everybody still have a hangover after last night? 🙂

    My shoulder devil said after the game yesterday:
    – the victory was somewhat undeserved as Arsenal had a 0.39 xG vs City’ 0.86
    – in a home game
    – when both Rodri and de Bruyne – the PL’s (or the world’s) 2 best midfielders – were unavailable
    – apart from Holding’s once-a-lifetime heroics we could only score against Man City in 2023 (5 games!) via deflection (2x) or from the spot (1x)

    But my shoulder angel responded:
    – who cares? it’s still the same 3 points, dumbass
    – in a home game, where the cretin referee’s known anti-Arsenal bias manifested a few times
    – and Saka (the PL’s – or the world’s – best RW bar Salah) was also unavailable
    – breaking a 8-year curse, so shut the hell up

    So I had to investigate myself to decide.
    It turned out that we had 10 key passes compared to City’s 4, and the average of the WhoScored ratings were 0.41 higher for Arsenal.
    So unlike the Community Shield where we were a bit fortunate to be at level after 100 minutes, last night a draw would flatter Manchester City. It might have been fair based on the shots on target and the xG balance, but the home victory was neither unjustified nor pure luck.

    It is a famous paradox in physics: what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? We will never know – hence the paradox. But we know now what happens when the PL’s (world’s?) best attacker meets the PL’s (world’s?) best defender…

  • Thanks for the update, GN5. Looks like Stu is toying with us: leaps forward when we come close; let’s us come close again, and; then runs away again. 🙂

  • Even though we had a very fortunate deflected goal to win the game the main thing is we won the game. I wonder just how many times we have been the victims and not the victors in such a circumstance. It still made me get up and yelp in front of my grandchildren “We scored a f***ing goal” – just pure pent up emotion came exploding out coming out. Fortunately my whole family know all about my life long devotion to the Arsenal and they all had a good laugh.

  • Change your aftershave, Total, and I just might allow you to stay close… 🥝

    Great comment, PB. In my book, your best ever. Rewatched the game last night, and find myself falling in love with our Declan in the same way I fell in love with PV4 25 years ago. The team as a whole defended so very well, but he was immense.

    GN5, I would love a photo of you, so I can educate my imagination of the incident you describe. I would say that is some of the best schooling your grandchildren will ever receive.

  • Ben White slipping the ball between the legs of Doku just made my day, it showcased the growing confidence that this Arsenal squad has and the reaction at the end of the game of Kyle Walker showcased the growing frustration of Man City as the realisation hit home that their reign is coming to an end.

    It was delicious…

  • Raya did have a few shaky moments in the first half and while the commentators and some pundits kept scrutinizing each wayward pass-out-from-the-back and/or goal kicks which failed to find the target (and there were a few), the fans were loud in their encouragement of the keeper.

    That was an admirable reaction by the home fans. I wager David Raya will start to be more composed now as he will feel a part of the team, more and more.

  • Kev, it gave me great pleasure when Declan Rice easily caught up with and dispossessed Bernado Silva as he raced with the ball, menacingly, towards our goal area. Declan has been immense for us, to be fair.

    Odegaard also had fun with the ball, even when surrounded by City players, mesmerizing them on many occasions. On one occasion, I feared Julian Alvarez may have twisted his ankle as Ode turned him inside out, then slithered away. It was beautiful to behold.

  • Bulgaria v Lithuania *3-0
    Hungary v Serbia *2-1
    Slovenia v Finland *2-1
    Northern Ireland v San Marino *3-0
    Norway v Spain *2-2
    Wales v Croatia *1-1

  • Thanks for the report, GN5. My predictions for the Internationals follow:

    Bulgaria v Lithuania * 2-1
    Hungary v Serbia * 2-1
    Slovenia v Finland * 1-1
    Northern Ireland v San Marino * 3-1
    Norway v Spain * 1-2
    Wales v Croatia * 1-1

  • Bulgaria v Lithuania 3-0
    Hungary v Serbia 1-1
    Slovenia v Finland 1-0
    Northern Ireland v San Marino 4-0
    Norway v Spain 1-2
    Wales v Croatia 1-2

    The biggest game of the weekend is All Blacks v Ireland World Cup Q final. You watching it GN5?

  • Bulgaria v Lithuania H* 2-0
    Hungary v Serbia D* 0-0
    Slovenia v Finland H* 2-0
    Northern Ireland v San Marino H* 2-0
    Norway v Spain D* 2-2
    Wales v Croatia A* 0-2

  • Thanks for the nudge Stuart I’ve put the All Blacks game on record – also the England v Figi game.

  • Bulgaria v Lithuania * H (3-0)
    Hungary v Serbia * H (2-0)
    Slovenia v Finland * H (2-1)
    Northern Ireland v San Marino * H (3-0)
    Norway v Spain * A (1-2)
    Wales v Croatia * A (1-3)

  • Bulgaria vs Lithuania…. 3-0
    Hungary vs Serbia…….…1-1
    Slovenia vs Finland……..2-0
    N.Ireland vs S.Marino….3-0
    Norway vs Spain…………1-3
    Wales vs Croatia……….. 1-3

  • Extraordinary game of rugby last night, probably one of the very best I’ve ever seen.
    Since my days in Dublin, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Paddies, and I don’t think they will ever understand how come they didn’t score at some point in these otherworldly last 5 minutes, but they were otherworldly because of the Ferns’ defense, too.
    I’m happy for you and your boys, Stu, Cane in particular who was immense after being heavily criticized. The Barretts are in my all-time-greats’ own personal hall of fame, for their mesmerizingly classy classicism … As for Savea, I pity the rugby pundits who have to rate his performances, they must be running out of words … but of course, after such a display you’d have to sing the praises of each and every player.
    Anyway, it was high time the competition really got going, and I have a feeling we might be in for more thrills today, not only because of tonight’s game, but also because the Fijians have all it takes to set the Stade Vélodrome ablaze – England defenders ‘d better be ready!!
    Hi to you all, even though the game was far from being a classic, finally trampling the SkyBlues under foot was both a joy and a relief, wasn’t it?
    COYG

  • That’s a fine looking scarf, LG, and is that a (all)black top I see under it?
    Yes, what a game it was. We had a crowd in our living room, including a green shirted Irishman, who was gallant in defeat. The tension reminded me of the closing stages of the last NZ v France final in Auckland.
    Fiji almost pulled off an upset this morning, and in just 90 minutes we have another blockbuster with Le Blues v the Boks. I hope we see you in the final, mate.

  • Hey Guys,

    Sorry I am a week late but good win against Citeh and the lads played with energy.

    Hope everyone is well.

    Cheers,
    JK

  • Here are the results of last weekend’s competition –

    1st GN5 with 4/6 plus 1 correct score and most correct predictions – 10 points
    2nd Total with 3/6 plus 2 correct scores = 7 points
    3rd Eris & Kev with 3/6 plus 1 correct score = 5 points
    5th Stuart with 3/6 = 3 points
    6th PB with 2/6 = 2 points

    Looks like the “old man” got lucky!
    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Season to date:-

    1st Total with 48.00
    2nd Stuart with 47.00
    3rd GN5 with 41.00
    4th PB with 41.33
    5th Eris with 40.33
    6th OX10 with 33.00
    7th Kev with 32.33
    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

  • Next weekends selections:-

    Liverpool v Everton *
    AFC Bournemouth v Wolverhampton *
    Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion *
    Chelsea v Arsenal *
    Aston Villa v West Ham United *
    Sassuolo v Lazio *

  • Another excellent bit of reporting and keeping tabs of the records, GN5. Well done, Total. Looks like you are on a roll, these days.

    GN5 was the biggest mover, I’d say. It is even better because you should be on 42, not 41 points, as you published. You had 32, last time out and if you add your current score of 10 to that, it is 42 …… or, am I wrong, GN5?

  • Here are my predictions for the week’s selections:

    Liverpool v Everton * 2-0
    AFC Bournemouth v Wolverhampton * 1-0
    Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion * 3-1
    Chelsea v Arsenal * 1-2
    Aston Villa v West Ham United * 1-1
    Sassuolo v Lazio * 2-2

  • WATOTL WATOTL, say it again, WATOTL, WATOTL

    Smell that Eau de toilette, Stu-baby!

    Great round for you, GN5, showing off your knowledge of international footie! 🏋️‍♀️

  • Ah, yes I thought I caught the scent of Dutch Blue wafting by. Those top notes of bergamot, with heart notes of dried fruit and honey are unmistakeable.
    However, the fat lady isn’t even out of bed yet, me ol’ mate.

    Commiserations LG. Those Boks are one tough bunch. A fabulous first half for the neutral. I trust you’ll be remembering Le Quesnoy and be wearing black for the remaining games…

  • No final for us, Stu …
    There’s been a bit of an attempt at gaslighting by “L’Équipe” since Sunday. They tried to put the blame on your boy O’Keefe, but it hasn’t worked out as expected – all rugby fans know the Boks deserved their victory. I think they aimed at protecting Galthié, who sent his boys to a battle against the Boks without a plan B …
    But this was a great game, again – the first half was as intense as your QF against Ireland, then after their changes at HT they were in control, and when you let them grab you by the throat like that, it’s game over. I don’t see how your boys could fail to bring the trophy home, tbh. I’m looking forward to the 3 remaining games, England have been regaining their confidence; there’s never been a Blacks-England final, that might be the year for it.
    Translation, T. … I love doing it, but it’ll take (much) longer than expected.
    First, because it took me longer than I thought to read and digest the book. It deals with the French (not only – other Allied countries too) “elites” sympathies for the Nazis, before, during and … after the war. Since I’m no historian – and not very good at reading history books, for some reason I’m not as focused as when I read literature – I took my time, checked out a lot of information I had been unaware of, so far, before writing anything
    Secondly, I accepted the job on condition my translation would be “organic”: no apps whatsoever, just the book itself, my grammars-dictionaries, and me … making my neurons work again might be the main reason why I committed myself to this – but the times it takes to work like this is the price to pay.
    All the more so since – on a personal POV, I hope I won’t bother anyone – there’s been an important change in our life. I don’t think I ever told you that our 20-y-o daughter is autistic – and severely so. She had been taken care of on a daily basis in the same “Institute” since she was 8, but now she’s too old to stay there, and – because of the way this country treats its most vulnerable people – we haven’t found another place to take things from here, so that she’s now home 24/7. She’s the loveliest girl you can imagine, she doesn’t throw fits or anything like that, she tells us she loves us something like 50 times a day, but … she needs to be looked after constantly, and my wife and I are getting old …
    Anyway, time is of the essence again, how’s the irony of saying such a thing after 2 (+) years of retirement only? I let a little bit of steam off though, when I drove to Lens to watch our U19s in the Youth League. I wrote a few words (of disappointment!!) about it on Jeorge Bird’s blog. They’ll do better next time, COYG.

  • You are correct Eris I do have 42 points. My spreadsheets are right at 42 – but I posted it incorrectly at 41.
    Thanks for keeping a look out.

  • Ah LeG, you are a fine human and Descartes, for whom doing ones utmost (epistemic best) was so important, would be proud of you. I love the way you are going about this translation job.

    And then there is the 24/7 Réunion with your daughter: what a change for you to get used to. Hopefully you can get some support and can find the right balance again. But being told 50 times a day that you are loved is very sweet.

    Please could you put up a link to your article on the Lens game?

  • Liverpool vs Everton………….. 4-1
    Bournemouth vs Wolves……. 2-2
    Man City vs Brighton…………. 2-1
    Chelsea vs Arsenal……………. 0-2
    Aston Villa vs West Ham……. 3-2
    Sassuolo vs Lazio……………….1-1

  • Mudryk vs Havertz, there’s quite a few narratives that can be dreamed up from that little match up – that’s if both of them even start?

  • Liverpool v Everton H* 3-0
    AFC Bournemouth v Wolverhampton A* 0-1
    Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion D* 1-1
    Chelsea v Arsenal A* 0-1
    Aston Villa v West Ham United H* 2-1
    Sassuolo v Lazio A* 1-2

  • Liverpool v Everton * H (3-1)
    AFC Bournemouth v Wolverhampton * D (2-2)
    Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion * D (1-1)
    Chelsea v Arsenal * A (1-3)
    Aston Villa v West Ham United * H (2-1)
    Sassuolo v Lazio * D (1-1)

  • I note your issue PB – I could not post anything for two days. I just persevered until it suddenly woke up.

    I’m missing predictions from everybody except Kev (and PB if Total cannot get his out of the ether)

  • You most certainly don’t bother anyone, LG. Thank you for sharing of your daughter. My middle son is, due to medical conditions likely to be in our care for all of our earthly lives. He, too is a beautiful child (of 24). We share that care with God, Whom we gratefully lean upon daily. Our son, too tells us often that he loves us. Though he is not the garden we expected, he blooms in ways that reaches Sarah’s and my hearts as nothing else can.

    I was sorry to see France depart the tournament. To watch Dupont play is to watch a Renoir paint, listen to a Piaf sing, or see a Zidane control a game. I so wanted to see him go up against Aaron Smith in the final. The Boks have some magic, Cheslin Kolbe is probably the best winger in the world, but the unpredictable flair of the French will be sadly missed.

    Thanks GN5. Some intriguing games…
    Liverpool vs Everton………….. 2-0
    Bournemouth vs Wolves……. 0-1
    Man City vs Brighton…………. 1-1
    Chelsea vs Arsenal……………. 0-2
    Aston Villa vs West Ham……. 3-2
    Sassuolo vs Lazio……………….0-0

    Interesting to see how we do at the Bridge, where we have won our last three games, and to watch how Mikel sets out his tactical stall. City game revealed some real maturity and pragmatism (handbrake on) in his approach.

  • Hey guy’s I also have a disabled daughter, she has- E.D.S (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) a genetic condition that affects your body’s ability to produce collagen that supports your connective tissue. It can make your skin, joints and other tissue weaker and more flexible than they should be.

    She has a wheelchair and is unable to work, but she has a brilliant brain and has taught herself how to build web sites and create code. Lot’s of downsides but a lot of upsides.

  • Liverpool v Everton * 2-1
    AFC Bournemouth v Wolverhampton * 1-2
    Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion * 4-1
    Chelsea v Arsenal * 0-3
    Aston Villa v West Ham United * 3-1
    Sassuolo v Lazio *1-1

  • GN5, I posted my predictions late on the 16th, 11pm GMT. I shall just copy and paste again;

    Here are my predictions for the week’s selections:

    Liverpool v Everton * 2-0
    AFC Bournemouth v Wolverhampton * 1-0
    Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion * 3-1
    Chelsea v Arsenal * 1-2
    Aston Villa v West Ham United * 1-1
    Sassuolo v Lazio * 2-2

  • Families need fathers and in particular the quality of fathers we have on this blog. I’m lucky to share a platform with you guys…

  • CHELSEA V ARSENAL – FACTS & STATS

    Since the start of last season, we have won more points (48) and games (15) away from home than any other side in the Premier League. We’ve also kept more clean sheets on the road (13) and conceded fewer away goals (18) than any other ever-present side during this period.

    Chelsea have lost five of their last six Premier League games against us, as many defeats as they’d suffered in their previous 25.

    We are unbeaten in our last 15 league London derbies (W11 D4), the third-longest such run in Premier League history after Chelsea (20 between 2004 and 2006) and ourselves (35 between 2001 and 2005).

    We have won our three Premier League away games this season by an aggregate score of 6-0 – only twice have we won our first four on the road in a league season (1903/04 and 2004/05). We could become the first side in top-flight history to win each of their first four away games in a season without conceding.

    As well as being one of two teams still unbeaten in the Premier League this season, no side has kept more clean sheets (4) or conceded fewer goals (6) than us this term.

    Mauricio Pochettino has never lost a Premier League home game against us, winning three and drawing three of his six such meetings.

    Mikel Arteta has won five of his eight Premier League games against Chelsea (62.5 per cent). Of all managers to take charge of more than five against them, only Kenny Dalglish (76.9) and Pep Guardiola (64.3) have a higher win percentage against the Blues.

    Kai Havertz – who assisted our winner against Man City last time out – could make his 100th Premier League appearance in this match. 27 different players to have previously played for Chelsea in the Premier League have scored against them in the competition, the most against any side in the competition’s history.

    Martin Odegaard has applied more pressures than any other player in the Premier League this season (253), while he’s also the only player to have made 100+ in both the middle third (111) and attacking third (112).

    Culled from the Club website.

  • MATCH OFFICIALS

    Chris Kavanagh will be the man in the middle at Stamford Bridge, the 18th time he has overseen one of our matches. We have won 10 of those, including all three he was handed last season – the 1-0 success at Leeds United, our epic 3-2 success against Bournemouth and the 2-0 triumph at Newcastle United.

    Chelsea meanwhile have won 11 of the 12 fixtures of theirs he has been appointed to, although only two of those have come in the past three seasons. This will be his third Premier League game of the season, and he has awarded seven yellow cards and one penalty in the previous two.

    Referee: Chris Kavanagh
    Assistants: Richard West and Matthew Wilkes
    Fourth Official: James Linington
    VAR: Jarred Gillett
    Assistant VAR: Darren Cann

    COPIED

  • Ramsdale’s just gave birth, to explain his absence.

    We were uncharacteristically poor today. Improvements made late in the first half and a good start in the second undone by a freakish Mudryk goal at the start of the second.

    Now, we have our work cut out for us. You always thought Chelsea would want to change the trajectory of things and maybe, today is the day we prove our championship credentials by bouncing back or get our first L in the season, having conceded our first and second away goals of the season.

    The ref has been having a mare with decisions going against us.

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