I’m not buying into the hype surrounding this game being a title decider or whatever Skysports try to bill it as for ratings however, I still think that this is probably our biggest match of the season so far. Losing at Anfield means that we are already three points from the top and although it’s very early days and we’ve had by far the toughest start to the season, I don’t fancy giving Liverpool a 5 point lead. We’ve done the chasing thing the last few years and it isn’t fun. Especially as it will take at least two games to reel them in.
The way the last match against Manchester City finished and the recent bad blood between these two, it could get a bit spiky this one, but our lads should relish the challenge and I know a couple of centre backs who will really be looking forward to it!! Rumours are Manchester City’s demise have been badly overstated though. I’m certain they will be in this title race until the latter stages of the season at the very least so this is a great chance for Arsenal to put some real distance between them and city.
Areas of encouragement
Arsenal are well and truly over their hoodoo regarding beating Manchester City and were comfortable winners earlier in the year during a 5-1 rout so belief should be high. Our home form has also been strong in these first few games of the season and even against the so called ‘bigger teams’ last season it’s been quite strong so the crowd should be really up for this one.
On the defensive side, we’ve yet to concede a goal from open play yet which is a testament to the strength of both the players and their knowledge of our system so another clean sheet here would give us a great platform to go on and take all three points.
Our strength in depth has also shone through in the last two games so if things aren’t going well in the earlier stages of the game, we’ve got options on the bench to shake things up a bit and keep city guessing.
There also might be a welcome return to the squad of Bukayo Saka, which would give everyone a massive lift and give city something to think about late in the game.
Areas of concern
Haaland is in red hot form for city and we need our centre backs to be on top form to stop him. If Saliba is missing, I do worry about Mosquera against the big Norwegian, despite an unbelievable start to his Arsenal career.
After the way we took city apart in the latter stages of the 5-1 win and also the celebrations and tweets, they will be really fired up for this one and gunning for revenge so we need to make sure we reach our levels and don’t give them an inch.
What I’d love to see
Saliba starting and Bukayo Saka among the substitutes would be the first things I’d like to see but in terms of the game itself, I’d absolutely love a clean sheet. I think that would put us in a great position to win this one as I think we’ll get a goal at some stage, especially given our strength on the bench.
Love to see a goal from Gyokeres in a big game as well. Just to give him that confidence that he belongs at the top table, especially with who City will have upfront going the other way.
A first goal or assist for Madueke would really timely as well. It’s the least his endeavour in these first few games of the season has deserved.
What I’d hate to see
Let’s face it, we’d all hate to see Haaland be the one to score the first goal in open play against us. That would sting. Would be even worse if he had some kind of taunting celebration to go with it. I hope we’ve drawn a line under all that now.
Really want to see a positive performance from Arsenal in terms of taking a few calculated risks here and there and not playing too conservative. We’re on our home patch so we really need to take the game to City and try and win the game rather than focusing on not losing it.
A draw would really hand a big advantage to Liverpool in the early stages of this season but it wouldn’t be a complete disaster. Getting beat at home in a game of this magnitude however…..that would be something I’d really hate to see.
Lineup and Team News
The Nottingham Forest game too soon for William Saliba but he has travelled for this one and will likely start the game at centre back, alongside Gabriel, with a good start key in the new Champions League Format. Saka, Havertz and Jesus remain out and the game has also come too soon for Martin Odegaard, who is still struggling with that shoulder injury. There was also worrying news regarding Ben White has he has somehow picked up another injury between appearing on the bench on Saturday and today’s game, as he also misses out.
As a result of White’s struggles, Timber has played nearly every minute so I expect his minutes to be managed here. With Saliba returning to the squad, I expect him to come straight back into the starting lineup and partner Gabriel to keep things solid at the back. This will then free up Mosquera to slide over to right back. Calafiori has also started every game and is likely to get a rest here, given his recent history with injuries, so I’m going for Lewis-Skelly at full back. A debut for Piero Hincapie will likely come from the bench as his training sessions with his new teammates are still only in single figures.
With the Manchester City game 5 days away, there’s no reason not to go strong here, especially with Port Vale the week after providing a perfect opportunity to fully rotate so Declan Rice for Mikel Merino is likely the only other change to the team that started against Forest, aside from Martin Odegaard who will again be replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.
Predicted lineup:
Raya
Timber
Saliba
Gabriel
Calafiori
Zubimendi
Rice
Odegaard
Madueke
Gyokeres
Eze
Substitues:
Kepa
Hincapie
White
Norgaard
Merino
Martinelli
Trossard
Lewis-Skelly
Mosquera
PREDICTION
I can see it being a really tight affair with just one goal in it but I can see Arsenal edging it and keeping a clean sheet so I’ll go for 1-0 to The Arsenal.