EPL Match Day 9: Arsenal v Man City; Match Preview
Epic or Epic Failure?
Never have two clubs been polar opposites on how you build a club. On one side is historical prudence – spending what they see fit to bring in appropriate talent. On the other, is financial wrecklessness – spending whatever is necessary to bring in senior level talent ready made. Whether either model is the appropriate model is irrelevant what is relevant is that Arsenal and Man City the representations of that dichotomy take the pitch against each tomorrow with a match that has big implications.
For City a win would mean staying in 2nd place in the table and further cementing in people’s minds that this club has arrived. For Arsenal a win would propel them into 2nd and show that they can beat a highly talented team. It is a match that based on initial looks like it could be an epic. Sort of like last season’s match. When Tempers were flaired and Adebayor did his lord of the dance routine on Robin Van Persie’s face. Arsenal left it to late to really try and turn it on in that match and were hard pressed not to come away with at least a draw. The 2nd match was a snooze fest with Arsenal fielding a reserve squad pretty much (with all the injuries) and holding the wannabe contenders to a 0-0 draw.
Whichever type remains to be seen. Mancini is not known to press the attack. He follows the Italian mantra of holding the match – especially against big competitors. Sure they will go for the win but only if the opportunity presents itself. Their recent win against Chelsea was opportunistic when John Terry appeared as the weak link and was shredded by Tevez. But attacking football is not Mancini’s style. He fields a team with no creativity in the centre, instead running a midfield of 3 holding midfielders – inviting you to come and tangle with them.
Arsenal will look to press the attack. It is how they play and in fairness when it is on, I don’t think there is a club that can compete with them. And that is the problem it isn’t always on. When the lack the get-up and go, Arsenal have their problems. They are built to attack and if they can’t do it with verve it is predictable tiring ball. I think however, they will not come out this way.
Cesc Fabregas comes back after his freak thigh injury against Sunderland. Theo Walcott is back from his rolled ankle while on duty for England and Bacary Sagna comes back after a two week hiatus. Oh and the greatest striker on earth, Nicklas Bendtner is also back (how could I forget Nicky with the pink boots) The club is getting healthier and needs players like this if it wants to continue contending for a title. Cesc has tried to implore people that he is focused only on winning with Arsenal and even through some lobs at Manchester City by telling anyone who would listen, that money doesn’t by the spirit of teamwork. It seems to me from what I’ve been reading that he is up for this match and relishing the opportunity.
Really for me and for Arsenal it is all about coming out with the same verve they came out against Chelsea and converting the opportunities that are given. The match at the Bridge would’ve had a decidedly different tone if Chamkah or Koscielny convert their early chances. Sure Chelsea won but Arsenal were good for the match. They weren’t knocked off the ball and stood toe to toe – we just didn’t convert and that was and is one of our biggest issues.
To convert we need our players to stop tippy toeing around the penalty box, you have to shoot. Now, that being said, Arsenal have taken the most chances on goal of any team in the league. They need to improve the conversion rate. Additionally, I think you need to attack their back 4. They are good and can be resolute but they don’t have a seocnd gear and they are relatively slow. Get the ball behind them or attack them with pace from either Clichy or Sagna crosses to Chamakh and the game will have a different complexion then last year’s similar fixture.
Finally, I think players like Arshavin and Nasri have to have big games for us. Sure Chamakh is a new middle option for us and has adapted well to the EPL. But Arshavin is not as incisive as the player who was the star of Euro 2008. With a new contract reportedly ready to be locked down, Arshavin needs to show he is the player we know he can be. Like the team he plays for when on, their are few better but when off, well, we all know that AA23 is frustrating to watch. As for Nasri he has been quietly building a good resume for the squad sometime. His prime position has been the central role but he has shown deftness when played on the wing. He is making good decisions with the ball and is one of the few players that does try to attack the box rather than toe around it.
Regardless of last year’s fixtures this one has even bigger meaning, as the last match of the weekend, it could be the Epic it is lining up to be or it could severely fail and just be a back and forth without any real incisive work done.
How the Match Should Play Out:
I really expect Arsenal to try and attack from the outset. They will try and test the firmness of City’s back four. City will likely play the Italian Possum game waiting for only prime opportunities to try and take the match to the visitors. I don’t expect as much contension as last season. I’ve picked Adebayor to start but frankly that is a hope because this season him and Tevez have played awfully together. If Ade plays look for Arsenal to play a high trap trying to force the striker into his penchant for going offsides. Either way this isn’t going to be a slugfest, it will have goals but I think it has draw written all over it.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Cesc Fabregas is back and wants to win some silverware. Well Captain Fabtastic this is the place to show us you are serious.
Man City: Carlos Tevez would be the obvious choice as would Ade but I am looking to see how Jerome Boateng handles Gael Clichy’s pace. Boateng is a big strapping back but he has shown in internationals and in the league that he has trouble against pacy wingers, to me he is the exploit area for Arsenal.
Probable Starting XI:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal:Wilshere (suspended -3) Koscielny (back) Almunia (elbow) Vermaelen (achilles) Van Persie (ankle) Ramsey (ankle) Frimpong (knee)
Man City: Balotelli (knee – D), Jo (ankle – D), K Toure (hamstring – D) Kolarov (ankle) Nimely (ankle)
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 0
Man City: 0
Last 5:
Arsenal: WDLLW
Man City: DWWWW
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Chamakh & Nasri 6 (3 league) Arshavin 5 (2 League)
Man City: Tevez 7 (7 League) Adebayor 3 (0 League)
Match Officials:
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Assistant Referees: Scott Ledger & Phil Sharp
Fourth Official: Kevin Friend
Broadcast Information:
US: FSC 11:00AM EST
UK: Sky Sports 1 1600 BST
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YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Man City: 2
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