This is what it is all about. 1st vs 3rd in a tight title race. Away at a ground we haven't won at since 2015 and have lost 8 in a row.
We did beat them at the Emirates earlier in the season, a game we were the better side without really creating great chances until a Martinelli shot deflected in.
We have been in great form, but so have City and international breaks tend to affect form anyway.
David Raya was brought in to help us win these types of games, and this is arguably his biggest game in an Arsenal shirt. He has a good recent record against City, and his stock has been rising with the penalty heroics against Porto quietening the critics somewhat.
We do have some defensive doubts, with Gabriel seemingly a risk. His partnership with William Saliba has been the strongest in the league and we desperately need them both in the XI and at their best. Gabriel has been guilty of rashness against City while Saliba's injury last season was a catalyst to us losing the race.
Left back is an interesting choice, Jakub Kiwior has really stepped up recently but Oleksandr Zivchenko and possibly even Takehiro Tomiyasu alternatives. No such debate at right back with Ben White sure to start fresh from a nice holiday.
The midfield set-up is another point from debate, although Jorginho, Rice and Martin Odegaard seems the most likely. Thomas Partey could be chucked in, and there is also the possibility of Jorginho being left out for a more offensive player.
Injury doubts over Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are a cause for concern, with the latter seemingly more likely to miss out. Leandro Trossard is predicted to start. Who would replace Saka is a harder question, one hopefully not needed to be answered. It should be mentioned that neither Saka nor Martinelli started the 1-0, with Trossard and Gabriel Jesus playing either side of Eddie Nketiah.
Kai Havertz has been in good form in the "false 9" role, with his height adding a different dimension. Will Arteta stick with this or will he be tempted to throw in Jesus against his old team. I expect it will be the former, with Jesus a decent option off the bench.
Not a lot to be said about City. Rodri is arguably the best in his position, and they certainly missed him in the 1-0. Kevin de Bruyne has had injury issues, and his inclusion in the starting XI is in doubt, but he has often showed his class against us. They do have injury issues in defence, but can still call on Ake, Gvardiol, Dias and Akanji, with Rico Lewis a potential inverted full back. Ederson is expected to be back in goal. Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva will almost certainly feature, with the prospect of them using Jeremy Doku to add pace out wide. An alternative will be playing Mateo Kovacic or Matheus Nunes in midfield. Julian Alvarez could start if KdB isn't in.
And, of course, Erling Haaland will be up front. If we can keep him as quiet as we did at the Emirates it will be a big step to avoiding defeat.
It is a big chance for us to put a massive dent in our rivals title hopes, but equally for them to knock us back down. Liverpool play in the earlier kick off, so they will be hoping to take top spot before we kick-off. If we end the day top it will be a great day!!
Time to stand up and be counted...
posted on 31/3/24
If we are brave and take our chances we will win at the Ethiad.
posted on 31/3/24
Good luck.
You’ve got me as a supporter, naturally. And probably the rest of the United board, barring a couple.
posted on 31/3/24
comment by Bats Uncensored (U18355)
posted 31 minutes ago
If we win, Liverpool will become favorites, assuming they beat Brighton. Would take a draw all day. 2 draws would be great.
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Yeah Liverpools run in looks lovely bar United and Villa away - and I would still expect them to get revenge on United and beat a nervy CL chasing Villa who might also still be in Europe. Some lovely fixtures Liverpool have.
posted on 31/3/24
My money is on City today, but an Arsenal win would be a serious statement and might give you guys the confidence boost to do it.
posted on 31/3/24
comment by Striketeam7 - There used to be a football club over there (U18109)
posted 30 seconds ago
comment by Bats Uncensored (U18355)
posted 31 minutes ago
If we win, Liverpool will become favorites, assuming they beat Brighton. Would take a draw all day. 2 draws would be great.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah Liverpools run in looks lovely bar United and Villa away - and I would still expect them to get revenge on United and beat a nervy CL chasing Villa who might also still be in Europe. Some lovely fixtures Liverpool have.
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I haven’t looked but unless they have mostly mid-table clubs, the bottom teams start to become the danger as we get closer to relegation.
posted on 31/3/24
They don’t have any relegation contenders apart from Sheff Utd which is a banker home win and Everton away which is going to be a cup final for Everton anyway
posted on 31/3/24
comment by Shinjury list (U1700)
posted 15 minutes ago
Good luck.
You’ve got me as a supporter, naturally. And probably the rest of the United board, barring a couple.
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Nice on Sir
posted on 31/3/24
If it’s another Liverpool v City title race, very reluctantly I'll be cheering City.
Either they break the record for consecutive titles with a chance of a double treble or Liverpool get #20.
Awful predicament. Come on Arsenal.
posted on 31/3/24
comment by Shinjury list (U1700)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - There used to be a football club over there (U18109)
posted 30 seconds ago
comment by Bats Uncensored (U18355)
posted 31 minutes ago
If we win, Liverpool will become favorites, assuming they beat Brighton. Would take a draw all day. 2 draws would be great.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah Liverpools run in looks lovely bar United and Villa away - and I would still expect them to get revenge on United and beat a nervy CL chasing Villa who might also still be in Europe. Some lovely fixtures Liverpool have.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I haven’t looked but unless they have mostly mid-table clubs, the bottom teams start to become the danger as we get closer to relegation.
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Brighton
Sheff U
Palace
Fulham
West Ham
Wolves
Spurs
Villa
United
Everton
That is more or less as good as it gets. I get what you are saying about relegation sides but Everton haven’t won a game in 2024 and Sheffield United can’t stop conceding - they are atrocious and are already more or less down.
Brighton, Palace, West Ham, Wolves and Fulham is mid table gravy
Spurs, Villa and United pushing for CL but all 3 have serious flaws currently and the Spurs game is a guaranteed Liverpool win, we nearly always lose at Anfield
posted on 31/3/24
comment by Mamba the Chief Disinformation Officer on JA606 (U1282)
posted 1 hour, 36 minutes ago
Could somebody ask DJ to unfilter me kindly please. Thanks in advance DJ. 🙏
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