Arsenal take on Man City at the Etihad this afternoon, looking to take points off the Champions early in the season.
Here are the official line-ups.
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Gundogan, Silva, Savinho, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Stones, Kovacic, Grealish, Nunes, Foden, Lewis, McAtee
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Havertz, Martinelli, Saka, Trossard
Subs: Neto, White, Kiwior, Kacurri, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Jesus, Sterling
COYG
Pep team selection tells me he knows he’s in for a tough game.
Exactly my thought. But Grealish not staring is a surprise.
My fear is that TP5 is done as a top level footballer. Hopefully, he can roll back the years today with a metronomic performance and that will help us a lot!
He’s started 5 games as defensive midfielder and we have conceded one goal. He’s still a very important player for us.
Would love nothing more than a repeat of a top 5 match for me as a 15+ years Arsenal supporter–Abou Diaby bossing Liverpool
Think every Arsenal fan who has supported for 15+ years would remember that performance in a heartbeat! He was simply unplayable that day.
What’s the news on white?
Been looking everywhere online and don’t see anything. He’s on the bench so maybe tactical?
Heard he has a knee issue, probably the same thing he was playing through last season. Clearly fit enough for the bench though so hopefully nothing major
He’s has been his usual top self last two games. Timber likely going to play RB and California at LB
Shame we loaned out Reiss Nevada, would’ve been useful on that bench
Timber was bought as a right-sided defender, to cover for and compete with White and Saliba (okay, I don’t think anyone is really going to compete with Saliba unless Maldini or Puyol make a comeback, but the cover part is right).
Maldini played on the left
If he were playing for us, he’d play where Arteta told him to.
Likely City think he’s not very good defending 1v1 and they’re going to target our full backs with wingers.
I think Ben White is a fraction of the player he is when Odegaard is ahead of him. I think this makes sense as a tactical move in what is on paper the toughest game of the season.
According to the Guardian, he has a minor (unspecified) injury.
Maybe just rotating? Maybe he’s red zoned after Thursday game. Hopefully
I would prefer Jorginho instead of Partey. Partey is making me nervous. Hopefully Havertz will play up front and not in the midfield. Let’s hope for a good result.
THAT back 4 is SEXY, you know? COYG!
Breaking up the band in the back 4? Just when I thought I was at max pre match butterflies. I gotta lie down. COYG!
Will be interesting to see how Saka does without White and Odegaard. Crossing fingers.
No crossing balls onto Kai’s head!
Hmm
Rodri off, no De Bruyne and now CALAFIORI!
I’d barely got the words; “That’s handy, they’re nowhere near as good without Rodri” out of my mouth too.