Manchester City vs. Arsenal – A tactical preview
Manchester City versus Arsenal is without a doubt the game of the weekend. Second placed City, host Arsenal at the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday, for a crunch tie in the English Premier League.
Manchester City are currently unbeaten in the season and are aiming to achieve a “top four” finish come the end of the season. On the other hand, Arsenal have moved up to 3rd place after a 2-1 win over Birmingham City
at home last weekend, but do not have a great away form in the League. The North Londoner’s have only managed one win on the road.
Both, Yaya Toure and Kolo Toure are expected to be back in the City lineup after missing the match against Blackpool. The physical presence of the Toure Brothers’ will certainly provide strength and formidability to the team in
defence and midfield.
On the attacking end of the pitch, David Silva is the man in form. He registered an impressive performance in the mid-week UEFA Europa League clash with KKS Lech Poznan, and his wonderful individual goal against Blackpool last
weekend proved to be the winner for The Citizens.
It will be a tactical battle and the pundits believe that the match will be won and lost in the wide areas of the pitch. Arsenal are known to attack from the flanks, with full-backs Emmanuel Eboue and Gael Clichy charging forward
to provide overlapping runs as wingers. City can capitalize on the out-of-position Arsenal full backs, with their own wingers, in the form of David Silva or Adam Johnson from the right, and James Milner from the left side of the midfield.
City’s target man will be Carlos Tevez who is enjoying the form of his life; two goals against Blackpool made him the League’s top scorer with seven goals. Tevez has bagged 28 goals in his last 31 league matches, a truly extraordinary
achievement. Although this record presents the Argentinean as an all out forward, his off-the-ball movement and contribution to the team cannot go unnoticed. Arsenal’s central defender Sebastien Squillaci who is new to the Gunner’s setup, will have a stern
test of his defensive qualities when he faces Tevez.
As far as Arsenal’s team setup is concerned, defensive midfielder Alexander Song will provide protection in front of the back four, while Cesc Fabregas will take position of the suspended Jack Wilshere. Fabregas will be the man
who will act as the playmaker, linking the midfield to the attack. Arsenal’s attacking third will consist of Samir Nasri, Marouane Chamakh and Andrei Arshavin.
Given the long season ahead, it is too early to say whether this match will be the decider for the 2nd place, but one thing is sure; whoever wins, will boost their ambition of dethroning Chelsea off the EPL crown.
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