Going to the Etihad to face Manchester City has become the toughest game in the Barclays Premier League. Bar none. With that being said, the task facing Arsenal on Sunday is large, but not impossible.
Arsenal come into the game with many of their best attacking players back fit and healthy. Last weekend Arsene Wenger brought on Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil. They could be in contention to start on Sunday. And while the latter has come under much criticism for his performances at Arsenal, there’s no doubt he’s been missed this season. Yes, Alexis Sanchez’s contribution is more obvious, but Ozil brings a patience and calmness into the final third. He isn’t erratic and will rarely lose the ball; something that could be vital in a game like this.
Defensively, Arsenal always look a lot stronger with Frenchman Laurent Koscielny back. Him and Per Mertesacker’s partnership can be one of the best in the league on its day. Per’s lack of pace is made up for by Koscielny’s lightning quickness while Koscielny’s sometimes overeagerness to go out and win the ball is covered by the big German’s great positional play.
In midfield, the re-emergence of Francis Coquelin has given the Arsenal midfield some much-needed bite. With that being said, he’s still not up to the level of Fernandinho or Fernando. Add into that mix the craft and creativity of David Silva and the midfield could be where the game is won and lost. Coquelin, whilst competitive and committed, isn’t good enough to go away to the home of the Champions and control and overpower a midfield. I’d love to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain alongside Coquelin, giving more pace and more power to a midfield that will come under immense pressure.
For that reason, Arsenal’s best strategy for this game is probably to try and go toe-to-toe with City and attack them. Stretch the game out with Walcott and Alexis on the wings and create space inside for Ozil or Cazorla. Arsenal fans know all about Gael Clichy and if he’s playing, Theo Walcott will fancy his chances.
It’s another big game away from home and Arsenal aren’t very good at these. Despite playing well in patches, the 6-3 loss at the Etihad was an embarrassing defeat in what was a fruitless campaign away from home against the big sides. The Gunners’ form away from home against the other top four teams is ultimately what cost them in the title race. End this hoodoo by winning tomorrow and a late title charge may not be out of the question. Lose, and you’re looking at scraping into the Champions League again.
All the talk will be about Alexis Sanchez. He scored in this fixture back at the start of the season and has gone from strength-to-strength. He thrives on the big occasion and would like nothing more to put the team on his back and drive them to a win. Luckily for Arsenal, if he doesn’t live up to the billing, they have Ozil, Walcott, Cazorla, Giroud all to step up and contribute. Just imagine Mesut Ozil leading a counter attack with Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott either side.
A point here for Arsenal would be a good result. A loss wouldn’t be the end of the world but the Gunners have a real chance to kickstart their season in a big way. The threat that City cause is obvious. They’ve won two titles in three years. As I said earlier, it’s the hardest game in the Premier League. With Aguero back you have to make them favourites. But the favourites don’t always win…
