3 players who will be key if Arsenal are to defeat Manchester City | Premier League 2019-20

Tomorrow Arsenal take on the champions of England, Manchester City in the Premier League. This may appear to be a mismatch right now; however, context paints us a much more evenly balanced picture. This is a big game encounter with many things on the line for both sides.

Pep Guardiola’s men find themselves in an unfamiliar situation, 14 points behind league leaders Liverpool. Manchester City are not firing on all cylinders, having lost four games already this league season. Visits to the Emirates have been pleasant for them in the past and they’ll be looking to add a much-needed victory to their collection.

As for the Gunners, they won their first game in ten attempts on Monday night with a stunning 3-1 away win over West Ham. This victory has instilled much-needed confidence into Freddie’s players before this season-defining game. If they are to beat the Premier League Champions, these players will be key.

Here are three players who will be key if Arsenal are to defeat Manchester City.

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#3 Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang

Aubameyang is in lethal form this season

As Arsenal’s undisputed talisman, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang carries immense pressure on his shoulders every time he steps onto a pitch. The Gabonese international knows that without his goals this season, the Gunners would be even closer to the relegation zone than they already are.

This season, the 30-year-old has scored 11 goals in 16 PL appearances, 13 in all competitions. Last year’s golden boot winner has proven across his career that he’s a prolific goal scorer. And as of today, he’s one of the top strikers in Europe, a forward Manchester City will certainly fear.

So far this season, Manchester City have conceded 19 goals in 16 games, an abysmal record for a side with their title aspirations. Since Aymeric Laporte got injured, City’s defence has looked vulnerable and porous. If Aubameyang is on form, he may even score a hattrick against the makeshift CB pairing of Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi.

Freddie Ljunberg.

#2 Bernd Leno

Where do you rank Leno amongst the best keepers in the league?

As much as Manchester City’s defence is in ruins, we should not underestimate how deadly they are going the other way. Any team that has Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez in attack is a force to be reckoned with. In fact, with such firepower, they could score at any moment. Arsenal’s defence this season has already proved that it cannot handle any form of attack, let alone ones of this calibre.

His defenders are in disarray, so Bernd Leno will know that he is Arsenal’s only hope of stopping Manchester City. Despite the number of goals the Gunners have conceded, the German international has been the only shining light in a shaky back five. This season, the 27-year-old has averaged 4.3 saves a game, often rescuing the Gunners as much as his star-striker teammate.

City pose a very dangerous attack.

#1 Gabriel Martinelli

Martinelli has settled quickly into life in England

Despite spending over £100million in the summer, it seems as though it’ll be the £6million signing of Gabriel Martinelli that will prove to be most effective. The young Brazilian has been a revelation and seized every single opportunity he’s got. In 15 competitive appearances for the Gunners, the 18-year-old has scored 8 goals and provided 2 assists. That’s a return that not only puts him amongst the best in his age category but across the whole of Europe.

As he proved against both West Ham and Standard Liege, Martinelli is ready to be a first-team starter, at the expense of Alexandre Lacazette. The 18-year-old’s infectious energy, fluid movement, eye for a goal and exceptional work rate will see him trouble an already troubled Manchester City defence. The time is now for the Brazilian and in this match, the youngster will introduce himself to the world as a bonafide superstar.