Other Pages
- Opinion Poll
- About Us
- Send Your Story
- Contact Us
- Newsletter
- Privacy Policy
- Terms and Conditions
EPL resumes after the international break with two of the English 'Big 6' facing off at the Etihad Stadium for the first time in the EPL fixture for the 2020-21 season as Pep Guardiola faces his former assistant, Mikel Arteta.
AllNews understands that Arsenal sits at 4th position with 9 points after 4 matches; 9 of the available 12 points. Manchester City sits at 14th with 4 points; 4 out of the available 9 points with a game in hand due to a week off after UEFA Champions League participation.
Arsenal had only faced one of the top 6 in the league which is Liverpool since the start of the EPL season and lost 3-1 with Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane, and Andy Robertson helped the Reds defeat the Gunner even after Alexandre Lacazette opener.
Apart from that game, Arsenal has won every other EPL fixture including the 2 London-derbies at West Ham and Fulham.
Manchester City on their own part have had their fair share of the challenge; losing woefully to Leicester City 2-5 at home, a draw at Leeds United had kept Pep Guardiola side at 14th of the table.
A piece of very good news for the Etihad camp is the return of the club top-scorer, Sergio Kun Aguero after almost 3-4 months out of action.
Getting ready to go again! ?☔️
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 13, 2020
? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klUGiM pic.twitter.com/SrZMQ2ZEpm
The presence of Gabriel Jesus has been comforting but the influence of the Argentine can never be overemphasized with his brilliant finishes.
With the over 13 days of break, City also had players on International duty which would count on team selection with the resumption of EPL hostilities.
Mahrez represented Algeria, Kevin De Bruyne for Belgium (though there is an issue with his health), Ferran Torres for Spain, and Bernardo Silva for Portugal.
? @Mahrez22 was on the scoresheet as Algeria and Mexico drew 2-2 in their friendly last night.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 14, 2020
Plenty of City-interest in tonight's international fixtures ⚽️
? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/a9O06M3s7u
Rodrigo played the 90 and @FerranTorres20 got the last 30 minutes as Spain fell to a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine in the #NationsLeague tonight ⚽️
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 13, 2020
? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/HuyS0SvS4H
De Bruyne is likely out with an injury and would likely be replaced by Phil Foden, partnered with Gundogan and Fernandinho in the midfield.
The Belgian was voted the UEFA Best Midfielder, PFA Player of the year, and the Manchester City player of the month.
If he is to miss the match or not at his best, it could hurt the citizens.
You voted him @etihad Player of the Month for September...and here are his best bits! ? pic.twitter.com/y6PMdmQuwg
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 12, 2020
Raheem Sterling's participation in the UEFA Nations League also cannot be overlooked as the English player would be available for selection and with his pace and precision with the shot, he can split open the Arsenal's defense.
The last time the two sides met at the FA Cup semifinal back in July 2020, Arsenal defeated City to progress into the final. The manner of the win is exactly Pep Guardiola should be aware of going into the match.
Arsenal won the match playing from the back, with City high line, Aubameyang can slip in and finish off the keeper, the only difference now and then is the return of Fernandinho back to the midfield - who is a deep-lying midfielder and could stay behind even when most of the Manchester City players are in the opposition final third.
Pep Guardiola should also note that Fernandinho is getting old and might not be able to do much 'dirty work' like before in defense.
A brief recall of how fast Manchester City can break a team, here is a highlight from 2017 against stoke.
Hitting Stoke for seven! ?
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 14, 2020
⏰ #OnThisDay 2017
? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klUGiM pic.twitter.com/V3vlyQrzn5
The presence of Rodri could also help Guardiola side, using the combination of Rodri and Fernando which gives them cover in the middle even if Foden or De Bruyne, Sterling, Jesus, or Aguero, and Mahrez or Bernando Silva are focused on attack.
Ederson Moraes (GK), Aymeric Laporte, Eric Garcia, Kyle Walker, Mendy, Fernandinho, Rodri, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Jesus Gabriel, and Raheem Sterling.
Sub - Kun Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernando Silva, Ferran Torres, Stones.
Mikel Arteta will continue to have goose-bumps anytime he heads to the Etihad to face his former boss or welcomes Manchester City to Emirate knowing fully well how the Spaniard coach thinks.
With just 1 loss and 3 wins in the last 4 matches, Arsenal is better poised to win the fixture but Arteta knows fully well how Manchester City responds to defeat or draw in the EPL especially with the International break giving less room for team cohesion.
One addition to the Arsenal squad that would be in the limelight is Thomas Partey after the Gunners paid his release clause in the excess of 45M Euros on the transfer deadline.
?? The newest member of the Arsenal family ❤️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 14, 2020
✏️ @llewellyn_art #NoThomasNoPartey | @ThomasPartey22 pic.twitter.com/WjJradUIaz
He gives Arsenal a lot of cover in the middle but he would be facing his former teammate Rodri who benched the Ghanian when at Madrid.
Both players are capable of holding the midfield and Rodri might be more relaxed than Partey who will be playing his first game but he might be subbed in after he has studied the game rather than given a start.
If Partey would be used, he will partner Xhaka in the midfield role.
Another player who could be brought in is Eddie Nketiah after a wonderful play in the England U-21.
THERE IT IS! ?
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 13, 2020
??????? @EddieNketiah9 now has 14 goals at @England U-21 level - one more than previous record holders Alan Shearer and Francis Jeffers https://t.co/INtXWNNi9B
The presence of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang as the captain of the squad cannot be overemphasized with his pace although the Gabonese has not hit his scoring squad this season with just 1 goal.
? "I am proud to be the latest black player to captain Arsenal."
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 13, 2020
✊ @Aubameyang7 pic.twitter.com/bWTD2F8Och
Games like this might be what he needs to spark to life.
In the backline, Gabriel has been pivotal to the success in recent games, scoring a debut goal on matchday 1, and he won the Arsenal player of the month award with his stellar performance.
How much are you loving Gabriel so far? ???
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 13, 2020
?? @Biel_M04 pic.twitter.com/TbVoaIiexT
Bernd Leno (GK), Bellerin, David Luis, Gabriel, Kieran Tierney, Xhaka, Saka, Partey, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Nicholas Pepe
Saturday, October 17th, 2020, at 5:30 PM
Nigerian audiences can watch on Silverbird TV.
US: New customers can use the free trial offer on FuboTV* to stream broadcast of Manchester City vs Arsenal by following the simple steps below.
*Geo-restrictions apply. Fubo is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Spain. Packages and pricing differ per country.
0 Comment(s)