Arsenal’s possible starting XI against Manchester City

Arsenal will travel to the Blue side of Manchester this Saturday to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in what would certainly be an enthralling contest between two sides who play some beautiful and the most devastating football in the Premier League. It will be a crucial game in terms of the title aspirations for both the sides with the Gunners currently leading City by 6 points at the top of the table. A win or even a draw would go in a long way to stand Arsene Wenger’s title credentials this season, but a defeat would mean that Manuel Pellegrini’s men would reach within a striking distance of Arsenal.

Manchester City stand 4th in the table just a point below Liverpool and Chelsea and will come into the game on the back of a astonishing win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. With recent slip-ups in the league and in the Champions League there is definitely a cause for concern within the Londoners troop as they will have to face a City side who are proving to be a dominant force when playing at the Etihad this season.

Arsenal had a Sunday night fixture against Everton last week and travelled to Italy during the midweek and will again play in an early kickoff on Saturday, a fixture list that cannot be more grueling than this. Having lost points against both their previous opponents, a point from Etihad before they face Chelsea next week would be helpful for Arsene Wenger.

As far as the news team is concerned, Arsenal will continue to miss the likes of Alex-Ox and Bacary Sagna, but Lukas Podolski having started his training recently has a chance to make it to the bench. Else Where Theo Walcott, who is yet to start a game after his return from injury would be waiting for his chance in the first team. The likes of Ramsey and Wilshere who were rested for Napoli’s clash will be available and it is upto Wenger who he picks for the starting XI.

Defence

Wojciech Szcz?sny will retain his spot in goal despite his blushes against former Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain during the Champions League game. The back four in front of him should again retain their positions although many a critics have wanted Arsene Wenger to field Monreal ahead of the Englishman Gibbs. The left-back is having a run of poor games for Arsenal and in the game as big as Manchester City’ it will be interesting to see what Arsene Wenger does.

At the back Mertesacker and Koscielny, who have been rock solid would again start in the hope to stop the free scoring Sergio Aguero. At right-back, Wenger has minimal options and will again have to call up the inconsistent Jenkinson to fill in the shoes of the injured French International Sagna.

Midfield

Thomas Rosicky has been the go to man for Wenger during the big games, but with his entire midfield fit and ready to play, it will be interesting to see whether the Czech International gets the nod. While Ramsey and Wilshere were rested during the midweek game, the Welsh man would return to the starting line-up alongside Mikel Arteta.

Elsewhere Ozil should take up his position behind Giroud and Cazorla on the left. It is again the right wing that will give a headache for Wenger as Rosicky, Wilshere and Walcott will be knocking his door. But going by the past, I feel Rosický will get the nod ahead of the Englishmen.

Forwards

Although Giroud looks pretty tired these days having played almost all of Arsenal’s game this season, he will continue to spearhead Arsenal’s attack, no questions here.