Manchester City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad stadium as the Premier League is about to resume after the stoppage caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It gets even more interesting because Mikel Arteta would be returning to his former club, so of-course you got Pep Guardiola vs Mikel Arteta.
It will be the first time both clubs step onto the pitch since the suspension of the league season in March.
Manchester City are second with 25 points behind league leaders Liverpool and will be looking to return to winning ways. A defeat for the Blues will see Liverpool require just one more win to bag the title. On the other hand, Arsenal are ninth, playing for a spot for the top six of the table but unbeaten in the English top-flight since the turn of the year.
The Blues are expected to go for a 4-3-3 formation as Pep Guardiola will have a lot of players available for the key fixture and will deploy a strong lineup against Arsenal.
PREDICTED 4-3-3 LINEUP
GOALKEEPER
Ederson Moraes is quite obvious choice featuring around the nets when Arsenal visits Etihad. The Brazilian has been a regular starter for the Cityzens and is set to retain his place.
DEFENCE
The defensive line of Manchester City will mostly consist of Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi, Aymeric Laporte and Benjamin Mendy. Walker has been a consistent starter under Guardiola in Premier League and on the other hand, Mendy should get the nod on the left side over Zinchenko, despite the fact the Frenchmen served sideline for a prolonged period.
Fernandinho has been largely used as in central defensive areas this season. However, with Laporte fit again following hamstring problem he suffered before the lockdown, Fernandinho could be relegated to the bench. Otamendi should partner the Frenchmen at the heart of defence.
MIDFIELD
The Blues have a lot of midfield options, the trio that may feature will be one of Rodri, lining up alongside Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva. De Bruyne needs no intro, while David Silva, who is entering the last few months of his time at the club could get the nod over Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva.
With the clubs allowed five substitution, we also may expect to see Phil Foden coming off the bench.
ATTACK
There’s no point who are striker should be. All-time leading goalscorer Sergio Aguero will be the man to start against Arsenal, with Gabriel Jesus as backup.
Leroy Sane hasn’t kicked a ball since damaging his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) against Liverpool in Community Shield and would be eager to start but may need easing into games and can start from bench. Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez should start on the flanks for thr hosts.
Manchester City’s predicted XI (4-3-3) vs Arsenal: Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Mendy; Rodri, De Bruyne, D. Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Mahrez
