Arsenal ‘v’ Manchester City – Preview

Following a week’s break due to international fixtures, Manchester City travel south to face a resurgent Arsenal side, who have recently mounted a late push for the final Champions League place, and currently hold a three point advantage over closest challengers Aston Villa. The Blues have been in mixed form in the Premier League in recent matches, with victories over Aston Villa and Sunderland interspersed with disappointing defeats away at Chelsea and West Ham.

The Citizens’ form, or rather lack of it, on the road is well documented, and Mark Hughes must find a way of securing only the second victory on his travels in the Premier League. The home side, in scintillating form, are on an unbeaten run that has currently lasted for four months; a quite remarkable achievement for a side missing a plethora of key players. The previous fixture between these two sides, held at the City of Manchester Stadium in November, resulted in a convincing victory for City, with the Blues running out 3 – 0 winners, with goals courtesy of Stephen Ireland, Robinho and Daniel Sturridge.

Robinho, back when he was good, takes on Johan Djourou

Team News

Blues boss Mark Hughes will hope that all his international players return relatively unscathed from their midweek exertions, with a private jet being flown out to South America to compensate for Robinho, Elano and Felipe ‘The Son of Mr Jarse, Hugh’ Caicedo. Robinho picked up an ankle injury in the midweek defeat of Peru, rendering him doubtful for this encounter, although there was no guarantee that he would have started. Fortunately for City, Valeri Bojinov pulled out of Bulgaria’s matches with an injury, thus saving him the possibility of getting injured, though it is thought he will recover in time for this match, whilst the Blues were dealt a huge blow on the eve of the game when Stephen Ireland, player of the seaosn so far, was ruled out after picking up an injury in training. Fiery Welsh striker Craig Bellamy is worryingly doubtful for this match with an injury picked up whilst with his country, but any disappointment on the Bellamy front will be offstead by some brighter news for Benjani and Daniel Sturridge, both of whom have recovered from long-term absences, and are in contention for this match. Belgian star Vincent Kompany missed both of his country’s two matches, whilst unbelievably, Gelson ‘Please, I’m Begging You Now – Just Give Up’ Fernandes scored for Switzerland. I read a rather hilarious article this week, which declared that Aston Villa, Hamburg and Manchester United were all interested in signing Gelson at the end of this season! Do they need their heads examining???

The Gunners, gunning for success (sorry, had to do that), are seriously struggling with numerous casualties. Long-term absentee Theo Walcott is doubtful after spending a fortnight on the sidelines, along with influential striker Robin Van Persie, who pulled out of Holland’s encounter with Macedonia with a groin injury. Togo international striker Emanuel Adebayor, despite being out for two months, is in the reckoning for this game, whilst captain and possible-Brain-Horton-spitter-at Cesc Fabregas has been named in the squad for the first time in about four months, following a serious injury picked up against Liverpool. Arsene ‘I Like To Play With Children’ Wenger will be concerned that Abou Diaby is doubtful, while Croation forward Eduardo suffered a groin injury with his country. French international Samir Nasri is out with the flu, so Amirates boo-boy Emanuel Eboué might make a rare starting appearance.

My Team (4-3-2-1)

                                            Given

Richards            Dunne                        Onuoha              Bridge

                   de Jong            Zabaleta              Kompany

SWP                                                                                Elano                             

                                          Bojinov

Subs: Hart, Richards, Garrido, Weiss, Vassell, Sturridge, Evans

Fabregas is accused of spitting at Hull assistant manager, Brian Horton

Key Battles

Gael Clichy ‘v’ Shaun Wright-Phillips

Clichy is arguably the Premier League’s best left-back, and the Blues reportedly had a bid of about £23 million rejected in January by the Gunners for the Frenchman. He is supremely quick, and is a vital cog in any Arsenal attack. SWP has been struggling with an injury recently, but he will need to recover for this match, because his natural attacking instincts will force Clichy to be more defensive than usual. 

Denilson ‘v’ Elano

Despite the imminent return of captain Fabregas, Brazilian midfielder Denilson is sure to start, as he attempts to make the defensive midfield position his own. He has a creative flair, yet is able to get his foot in and break up opposition attacks. Fellow Brazilian Elano has been in and out of the City starting line-up this season, but has performed qell recently and will hope to keep his starting berth.

Andrey ‘No Giggles’ Arshavin ‘v’ Nedum Onuoha

The Russian international has been superb since arriving in January, mesmerising defences with his skill and trickery. He has scored a couple of goals already, so will need to be watched closely by the City defence. Nedum, voted last week on this site as the March player of the month, has been magnificent in the centre of defence, and he will need to be on his guard on Saturday.

Arshavin tries to copy Stephen Ireland’s Superman pose, but to no avail

Verdict: Arsenal 2– 1 Man City

I will predict another City defeat, because the last time I did that, we defeated Aston Villa 2 – 0. Injuries will play a huge role, and with the Blues missing Ireland and possibly Bellamy, I feel Arsenal will just possess enough quality to defeat the Blues, with goals to be scored by SWP, Arshavin and Adebayor.