This coming Sunday's match between Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola will be one of the biggest matches ever in the Premier League title race, with everyone watching this game with a great deal of anticipation. While this game has been billed as one of the most dramatic games of the season, it has the potential to be much more than that, it could be the defining moment in the Premier League title race.
Although the Gunners have put together a great season and reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the second time in a row, by winning their most recent match against Sporting CP (aggregate score 4-3), there is one thing that they want more than anything else: to win the domestic trophy.
The pain of losing to City in the League Cup final still hurts. For Arteta, this game is more than getting three points; it’s about beating Guardiola, who has always been one step ahead of him. If Arteta loses this game, it would be a disaster, especially since there is a trophy on the line. This makes the expected starting lineup very important and closely watched by everyone in London today.
Defensive Resilience: Can the Wall Hold?
Goalkeeper David Raya might be experiencing a defining moment. Though he saved a number of shots in Lisbon, he has also been criticised recently for his distribution and not being at his best. It looks like Arteta will go with his #1 at such a big game, though.
In defense, the team is going to implement a very interesting tactical change. After Mosquera shone during the midweek game, he is given a chance to play right-back again, which means that a well-rested Ben White may be on the bench. The duo of Saliba and Gabriel is still the "Twin Towers": at the center of defense.
The city's pressing has been so effective as to "gazump" the Gunners last time, while Saliba is struggling to find a way to counter it. It is the second of the two fighters, and this time it relates to a very different thing as Gabriel faces Erling Haaland again. Arsenal's "X-factor" might lie in Gabriel's dominance in the air during set-pieces. One of the reasons why this match may come down to a single moment is the presence of the two top forwards in this duel.
The Midfield Engine Room
Piero Hincapie returning to the fold adds to the left side, but much of the curiosity comes from what happens in the middle. Martin Zubimendi will get a chance to play alongside Declan Rice, who played all 90 minutes in a Man Of The Match performance at Sporting, after battling an illness recently; though he is very likely a doubt it is a certainty that Arteta will want him in the squad on Sunday. The objective for the two midfielders is to nullify City’s top creative players, and allow Eberechi Eze (a player who has also returned) to roam freely in between the lines and create the “big moment” type of things for which he has become known for against City.
A Forward Line Searching for Lethality
There are still some questions about Noni Madueke's fitness. People are really hopeful that his knee problem will not stop him from playing in this big game. Noni Madueke has a knee injury. That is a worry.
On the side, Gabriel Martinelli wants to start scoring goals again. He has not been playing well in the league at home. Gabriel Martinelli needs to find his form and start playing like he used to, so people think he can do it.
Kai Havertz as a striker is likely the most controversial choice. Although Viktor Gyokeres had a difficult time against his former team on Wednesday, Havertz has better hold-up skills and the kind of tactical link-up play necessary to break down a Guardiola defense. Since there won't be much time for ball possession in the match, it may be Havertz's capability to involve teammates that will help him to open the City vault.
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