Premier League 2018-19: 3 tactical factors which could determine the fate of the Manchester City vs Arsenal match

Modified Feb 11, 2019 12:09 GMT

Arsenal v Manchester City - Premier League

2. City's wingers exploiting the space left behind by the Arsenal full-backs

Both the full-backs of Arsenal, Sead Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, have the tendency of going into overlaps quite frequently. However, they would be ill-advised to do so against City, who have some dangerous wingers like Leroy Sane, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling in their team.

Mahrez might not start on Sunday, but would remain as an option for Pep Guardiola to use. Meanwhile, both Sane and Sterling are extremely skillful and fast players, and can destroy any defence within a few moments with their probing runs and incisive crosses.

Sterling has provided 8 assists and scored 11 goals in the ongoing season, whereas Sane has emerged as one of the most improved players in the world.

The Arsenal full-backs would do well to curb their attacking instincts somewhat and be inside their own half as much as possible. Kolasinac in particlar would have to give more emphasis to his defensive duties.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Musab Abid