Nervous? A little bit. Confident? Yes.
I have mixed feelings with regard to today's game! It's our first game against one of our fellow Premier League Giants. Infact, we're playing the Champions. For that reason, we have to approach the game with full concentration and be switched on from the first to the last minute! We need to get hold of the ball early, dictate the pace of the game and counter attack every chance we get. We have the pace in the front four to cause some real problems. If we can get them concerned about that then it may well help inhibit their attacking drive.
I'm sure the players will be up for this today, they want to prove something! And I'm confident that they can, and will! We have a very experienced and professional bunch of players who are desperate to succeed. So with Arsene coaching them, it can only fill me with optimism for the season. If we are as focused as we need to be today then I have a feeling we will sneak this game. But it's going to be a close one!
As for team news, it will largely be the same squad we saw for the game against Montpellier in midweek. Szczsney is out again with an ankle injury, while other absentees, such as Wilshere and Frimpong, continue to be eased back into action. Based on that, I predict that our line-up today will be along the lines of;
Mannone
Jenkinson Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs
Arteta Diaby
The Ox Cazorla Podolski
Gervinho
Subs: Shea, Koscielny, Santos, Coquelin, Ramsey, Walcott, Giroud.
Score Prediction:
Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal
Tevez - 30-45 mins
Gervinho - 45-60 mins
*Hopefully we can nick it at then end but I'd be very pleased with a point away from home against the Champions!
COYG
Manchester City v Arsenal Preview
posted on 23/9/12
posted on 23/9/12
Vermaelen is better than Mertesacker. What's so funny about that?
I don't get it. Where does this unwarranted hate for Vermaelen come from?
It's ridiculous.
posted on 23/9/12
Mertesacker is class though. Him and Koscielny are on Vermaelen's level.
posted on 23/9/12
I agree with Dubbed
posted on 23/9/12
Mertesacker is better than Vermaelen though
posted on 23/9/12
Difficult to define 'better', Mertesacker's positioning and the sheer sense of calm he exudes at the back is invaluable to a team, as is Vermaelen's drive and grit, along with his aerial prowess. They both bring different things to the table but they're both damn good defenders, despite my worry that Aguero or Tevez isolate him 1v1 and ghost past him, Mertesacker will be fine.
posted on 23/9/12
Smartly said DR.
posted on 23/9/12
I feel how well Javi Garcia deals with Cazorla and Arterta deals with Toure will be the main points in the game.
posted on 23/9/12
Verminator - I take what I said about Mers back, gladly. I was wrong and proud to be.
Mertesacker was exceptional today, mightily impressed.
posted on 23/9/12
Per
He's just incredibly intelligent. His passing is superb as well, the calmness he brings into our back four is brilliant. Superb player.