Dream Arsenal line-up vs Manchester City as Saka and Martinelli start, Partey partners Rice
The midweek Champions League disappointment can be wiped from the face of the Earth with a massive victory in this week’s Premier League clash.The reason is because the opponents are Manchester City who arrive with, as always, an unbelievably good record in the red half of north London.
However, there are plenty of narratives to the game with the majority centring around who is not going to be playing. From the visitor side, both Rodri, who is suspended, and Kevin De Bruyne, who is injured, will not be a part of the team with the duo being a thorn in the Gunners’ side for quite some time.
It is arguably the best opportunity the Gunners have had in many years to get a good result against the champions. However, Mikel Arteta is also under the cosh from a spate of injury woes peppering his group over the past few weeks however, glimmers of hope exist.
In terms of what a dream line-up for the team could look like, starting in goal, David Raya. The mistakes against Tottenham and RC Lens can be forgottenif he keeps out the likes of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez this weekend.
The defence has options, mainly at left-back with either Oleksandr Zinchenko or Takehiro Tomiyasu up for debate with the latter offering more defensive security and likely preferable away from home. However, at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners will hope to build from the back and that’s why the Ukrainian is preferred.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will partner up for the first time against City since the last home defeat as the Frenchman missed the trip to Etihad Stadium through injury. Ben White will return to start at right-back and be tasked with dealing with a variety of potential starting options on the City left.
Bukayo Saka’s England call-up
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