Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will have to deliver a strong defensive performance and be brave in attack if they are to leave the Etihad with three points on Sunday.
After Tuesday’s defeat to Everton the Gunners know they have little margin for error when they travel to Manchester City, all the more so if Chelsea record another win on Saturday to open a nine-point gap.
Speaking ahead of the trip to the North West, Wenger called on his players to prove their mettle with an attacking performance.
“The key to big games against City is to defend well together and not be timid every time you get the ball,” said Wenger.
“We have to have a go and try to attack, because that’s part of our philosophy. Overall that’s what you have to do but you have not to forget as well that City’s team is very strong going forward, maybe even more now with Pep Guardiola, so we certainly have to focus on defending well.”
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six games against City with many of those games eye-catching for the neutral. With a lot of hype around the game Wenger expects more of the same.
“What you want from the top-level games is that it responds to the level of expectation quality-wise. I hope that both teams achieve that. I think it will happen because I’m a positive man and I always expect big games to be something special. I expect a special performance and for it to be special for people who love football.”
Also please don’t be timid with tactics and substitutions.
Not saying play full backs as false nines but if initial plan isn’t working dont wait til 75th minute to change it up
Big match Arsene, need to bring your A game.
Wenger must set the team to take the three points not to serve football lovers. If we play better than them and lose, we may be 9 points behind and have to win 4 games more than Chelsea for the remainder od the season. Knowing that there will be some weeks where Chelsea win and we draw or lose (vice versa), it will make it really really difficult to catch them up.
I’d really like to know how you ‘know’ that there will be weeks where they win and we draw/lose. I want some of that Crystal ball love. I understand your fear about going 9 points behind Chelsea, but we are going into a phase where even Chelsea will need to rotate or play a lot games on the trot. Having no European competition has helped them so far, but let’s see how they deal with the busy schedule.
chelsea’s and arsenals biggest advantage so far have been lack of injuries to key players. mustafi is on off but we are very well covered in that position, but our main and irreplacable players like alexis and ozil have played most of the minutes for us . same with hazard and costa for chelsea. chelsea is more vulnerable because if any one of the players moses or kante gets injured their entire system will collapse.
Playing positively and playing well are the best ingredients to taking three points.
Fear is the enemy.
Unbeaten in 6! I didn’t know that. Gonna have to check.
I don’t think we should stress too much about having to get a win against city. We have 6 very vinnable games after that match and Chelsea (most likely) won’t win each if their coming 7 games. A draw would be a good result and a win would be extra positive.
From your reasoning, over a seven-game period, Chelsea will lose 3 and we will win all seven in order to catch up the 8 points deficit.
Love that picture of Sanchez. Beast mode