Arsenal -v- City, 19.45, SS2

Frisbee

Big game for both teams tonight with a win for Arsenal putting them second and a win for City putting them joint top with United.

I'd expect Arsenal to go something like this:

---

Fabianski

---

Sagna

---

Djourou

---

Koscielny

---

Clichy

---

Wilshere---Song----Fabregas

---

Nasri

---

RVP

---

Arshavin

Although I'd prefer to see:

---

Fabianski

---

Sagna

---

Djourou

---

Koscielny

---

Clichy

---

Wilshere---Song----Fabregas

---

Walcott

---

RVP

---

Nasri

As for City, I'd hazard a guess at:

---

Hart

---

Boateng

---

Toure

---

Kompany

---

Kolarov

---

Barry

---

De Jong

---

Milner

---

Toure

---

Johnson

---

Tevez

---

Tevez is going to cause real problems for whatever CB pairing we put out and presents a much different threat to Drogba so Djourou's physicality will be of much less use against him tonight, although it will be invaluable at set pieces where City have a lot of big players to throw forward, and judging that 50% of our conceded goals have come form set pieces I'd expect us to concede one tonight.

Gonna go for a score draw 2-2.

SDTimeout

Well in with the early thread Frisbee. Then again i can't see Arshavin being brought back into the squad. Changed XI in my opinion.

folan

im not sure about Toures fitness, so he mightnt start.

Silva is a big miss for us there too. Id hope for above, and for milner to up his game, but im going to go for a solid 3-1. I cant see us getting out of the blocks for this. Im not optimistic and still think Arsenal are the better team.

I'd prefer your team too. Can't see Arshavin starting this one. He'll have time over the two cup matches to prove himself again.

2-1 to The Arsenal

(and a very nervy Papa Smut!)

IvySlayer

Score draw would be nice, but something tells me Arsenal will edge this.

AnCapaillMor

It'll be a tight game, if city score first can see watching paint dry be more excitng, with 3 DM's they'll shut up shop. If Arse score first i can see it being a very open game.

Can't see Arshavin starting. Djorou's height will definately be needed for the set pieces.

Gillington

Nervous about this one,we need Tevez to pick himself up after his one man miss the target show on Saturday against Blackpool.Silva is a big loss,he's be playing very well of late

gosplan

Can't any reason at all for Wenger to change the team that started at Birmingham.

It'll be close and I'm delighted Silva is out but I think Arsenal will win this one and a genuine title charge will really begin from here.

The reserves dropped two points against Wigan but the focus for the players that started against Chelsea and Birmingham was always on a set of three games before the short break. They've played two great games in a row and now I think that Nasri, Fabregas and Van Persie will be sharp and perhaps too much for City to deal with.

There is always the possible 'attack for 30 minutes and then concede to their first shot' outcome but I think with Arsenal's full attacking squad to choose available, we won't see the sloppiness in possession that usually leads to this.


(All of the above is 50% informed opinion and 50% hope)

racso1975

folan wrote: »

im not sure about Toures fitness, so he mightnt start.

Silva is a big miss for us there too. Id hope for above, and for milner to up his game, but im going to go for a solid 3-1. I cant see us getting out of the blocks for this. Im not optimistic and still think Arsenal are the better team.

Yaya or kolo?

Fuzzy_Dunlop

i'd say frisbee is right about arshavin starting ahead of walcott for this one. city will most likely sit back a good bit so walcott won't get much space in behind.

super_furry

Massive game tonight. If Arsenal win I think they could well go on and win the league, don't think I could say the same of Man City. Think Walcott should start on the bench, he's almost better coming off it as an impact player.

peabutler

No way Theo needs to start to get a feel for the game and get in good areas he doesn't do it off the bench.

Warper

Mancini will set out his team not to lose tonight, as he has done playing all the top teams this season. Barry, De Jong, Toure will all start and Mancini would take a 0-0 with glee. They have been so negative this season playing against the better teams that this could another bore-fest. Are Arsenal good enough to break down City's defense or will Tevez actually get a chance? Dont know but can see this being a low scoring game with little happening. 0-0.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Never been impressed with the City midfield, reckon Arsenal will comfortably win this one like they did at Eastlands. It City get anything out of this game they'll need to keep Fabregas and Nasri quiet, but I just cant see them doing this.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

THFC wrote: »

Never been impressed with the City midfield, reckon Arsenal will comfortably win this one like they did at Eastlands. It City get anything out of this game they'll need to keep Fabregas and Nasri quiet, but I just cant see them doing this.

They were down to 10 men for the majority of the game though and still caused a good few problems so i expect it to be a close game.

karma_

Our away form has been superb and hopefully we don't go a man down after 5 minutes again. I know other posters have been alluding the the Mancini negativity, however recently we have looked good and play a more expansive attacking game. I think we can get something out of this game.

Xavi6

If City score and you see a lone figure celebrating in amongst the Arsenal fans that'll probably be me. I don't expect to survive either

Galvasean

I'm thinking Arsenal will edge it 2-1.
I hope Wilshere plays a stormer, but unfortunately Super Mario won't see it.

shano_88

Xavi6 wrote: »

If City score and you see a lone figure celebrating in amongst the Arsenal fans that'll probably be me. I don't expect to survive either

What section are you in? If your directly across from the away fans you could be in trouble alright!

ironbluedun

THFC wrote: »

reckon Arsenal will comfortably win this one

city played for 90 mins at eastlands with 10 men so forget about that game. Assuming nobody gets sent off or any major ref cock ups, all things being equal this will be a hard tight tough game. with silva out a huge loss for city. a score draw i think 1-1.

Scuba Ste

THFC wrote: »

Never been impressed with the City midfield, reckon Arsenal will comfortably win this one like they did at Eastlands. It City get anything out of this game they'll need to keep Fabregas and Nasri quiet, but I just cant see them doing this.

Playing with ten men had no affect on that at all.

Will Johnson start? Away to Arsenal I doubt it. Close enough for me, 1-0, 1-1 type game with City defending for the whole game, hopefully we nick it and get back level with Utd.

Gillington

Lol at Wenger,he wouldnt want to win the league after spending millions like City,but rather win it with is home grown stars

ironbluedun

Scuba Ste wrote: »

Playing with ten men had no affect on that at all.

Will Johnson start? Away to Arsenal I doubt it. Close enough for me, 1-0, 1-1 type game with City defending for the whole game, hopefully we nick it and get back level with Utd.

I dont think city will defend for the whole game, thats not what they have done in recent games.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

The signs were there before City had a man sent off that Arsenal were going to boss the game. Wasnt the sending off a result of a last man tackle? Think some one was going thru 1 on 1, very to early to have your defence split. Just saying like:) I'm sure I'll be proved wrong tonight anyways..

Galvasean

Gillington wrote: »

Lol at Wenger,he wouldnt want to win the league after spending millions like City,but rather win it with is home grown stars

He's a bit like me so.

Royale with Cheese

ironbluedun wrote: »

I dont think city will defend for the whole game, thats not what they have done in recent games.

It's the best way to play against Arsenal though. They'll set themselves up to frustrate Arsenal if Mancini has any sense.

karma_

THFC wrote: »

The signs were there before City had a man sent off that Arsenal were going to boss the game. Wasnt the sending off a result of a last man tackle? Think some one was going thru 1 on 1, very to early to have your defence split. Just saying like:) I'm sure I'll be proved wrong tonight anyways..

The whole 4 minutes. /shakes head

flahavaj

Mancini seesm to like to keep it very tight in the bigger games and they're definitely good enough to get a draw here.

Which would suit me just grand.

L'prof

2-0 Arsenal with another solid performance from Djourou please.

Frisbee

karma_ wrote: »

The whole 4 minutes. /shakes head

And in those 4 minutes City were the much better side, both Tevez and Silva had good chances.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Gillington wrote: »

Lol at Wenger,he wouldnt want to win the league after spending millions like City,but rather win it with is home grown stars

I would have thought the vast majority of people would prefer their team to win like that then by spunking a load of money on players. Obviously it's easier to do it that way but of course he'd ideally like to win it with his method.

Sgt Pepper 64

Thought this was the funniest reference ever!

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/early-doors/article/305156/

Warper

ironbluedun wrote: »

I dont think city will defend for the whole game, thats not what they have done in recent games.

In recent games they have played rubbish sides like Blackpool etc. Against Utd and Chelsea they played ultra-defensively and with their most-in-form player in Silva out, I can see them doing the same tonight.

gosplan

Gillington wrote: »

Lol at Wenger,he wouldnt want to win the league after spending millions like City,but rather win it with is home grown stars

Actual comments:

"What is fantastic in football is there is no given formula," Wenger said. "I personally am a big fan of the way we do it, so I try to be successful with the way we do it.

"You can also do it the way Inter [Milan] do, or Manchester City do, they buy the best players in the world and it works as well. What I want to show is it works our way as well.

What's to lol at?

shano_88

Damn, got training at 8 so gonna miss the majority of the match. I hope to come to see Arsenal celebrating there second in a 2-0 victory!

JohnnyRyan99

So people reckon City still play 3 DMC's despite Yaya hardly stepping back inside in own half all year! Anyone who watches City will know Yaya's DM days are long gone, i reckon this is gonna be a cracker no matter if City score early or vice versa!

Unfortunately Arsenal always get the better of us, and i can see their ability to play as a stronger unit being our downfall.. Teams can only stand up to Arsenal when they really work hard and defend as a cohesive unit.. City are definitely improving in this aspect but im not quite sure there where they need to be to finaly beat Arsenal away!

Hoping im wrong but i can see Arsenal taking this!:(

dfbemt

Please God Arsenal to win but.......

My fantasy football head wants
Fabregas to score and assist
Nasri to score and assist
K Toure to score and assist
Tevez to score and assist

So 3 - 2 Arsenal should just about do it for me but I don't see that happening

Scuba Ste

ironbluedun wrote: »

I dont think city will defend for the whole game, thats not what they have done in recent games.

We haven't played against a really good team since United though. Away to Arsenal I think we'll be very defensive unless we concede. I'd take a boring 1-0 anyway, a win's a win.

That_Guy

Arsenal/City

HT/FT - 45/1 with PP. May stick a sneaky fiver on it.

dfbemt

That_Guy wrote: »

Arsenal/City

HT/FT - 45/1 with PP. May stick a sneaky fiver on it.

Well worth it at those odds.

Would be typical of us to throw away a lead.

ironbluedun

JohnnyRyan99 wrote: »

So people reckon City still play 3 DMC's despite Yaya hardly stepping back inside in own half all year! Anyone who watches City will know Yaya's DM days are long gone, i reckon this is gonna be a cracker no matter if City score early or vice versa!

true this will be a good game might not be trillions of goals but a good match between two good teams. Pity its on poxy sky sports 2 that means i have to go to the pub to watch it, oh what a pity;)

Galvasean

shano_88 wrote: »

Damn, got training at 8 so gonna miss the majority of the match.

Thats why i dont play football anymore - miss too much football on TV

that and Im shyte!

JerryHandbag

I'd love to see a rip roaring, high scoring draw.

herbieflowers

Galvasean wrote: »

Thats why i dont play football anymore - miss too much football on TV

that and Im shyte!

I'd be the opposite, I'd sacrifice watching football for the rest of my life as long as I could play!

Hard match to call. I think City will nick it. They'll be organised and defensive and will look to hit Arsenal on the counter. Johnson could cause major problems.

shano_88

Galvasean wrote: »

Thats why i dont play football anymore - miss too much football on TV

that and Im shyte!

I still prefer playing over watching although id love to watch the match tonight.

DH2K9

Wenger has to start Walcott tonight. If he does we will win handy. If he doesn't a boring 0-0 draw.

L'prof

DH2K9 wrote: »

Wenger has to start Walcott tonight. If he does we will win handy. If he doesn't a boring 0-0 draw.

If City played a high line, then it'd be essential that he started, but since I doubt they will, I think he'll make a bigger impact coming on as a sub.

Galvasean

I'm glad Silva is out for City. he's the kind of player who when combined with tevez could really hurt Arsenal.
Question: With Super Mario out injured, what are the chances that Adebayor will make tonight's squad after his recent... 'altercations'?

smokedeels

Is this game on Irish Radio? I'll most likely be on a bus for the first half.

PHB

This is going to be darn exciting

Scuba Ste

Galvasean wrote: »

I'm glad Silva is out for City. he's the kind of player who when combined with tevez could really hurt Arsenal.
Question: With Super Mario out injured, what are the chances that Adebayor will make tonight's squad after his recent... 'altercations'?

Ade hasn't even made the bench in ages, I don't really consider him a City player anymore.