Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: Bernd Leno of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Bernd Leno (GK) – Without question the number one and he’ll start against Manchester City. As he will pretty much every week.
Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) – He’ll get the nod on the left side of the three at the back. As he showed against Sheffield United, he has the speed to cover and the passing range to take Tierney’s place (assuming he is not allowed to play).
David Luiz (CB) – Our experienced, if far from perfect, leader at the back will anchor the center of the three, the only place is isn’t woefully exposed. No repeat of this fixture last season, please.
Rob Holding (CB) – Loves to show up for a challenge, has improved in one-on-one situations and will gladly take on Raheem Sterling or whoever is on the left of the City attack, hopefully throwing him to the ground like Sadio Mane. Within the rules…of course.
Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/">
When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury?
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/">
2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/">
Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/">
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start?
</a>
</ul>
</div>
<p>Saturday’s opponents are none other than Arteta’s former side City, who’ve has bit-part start to the season with four points accumulated from their three matches. Opening day win over Wolves? Solid. Thumping home defeat to Leicester? Dreadful. Utterly insane draw away at Leeds? Not great.</p>
<p>It’s act three of the Arteta vs Guardiola tussle, tied at 1-1. We don’t really care about personal duels, but it does add some spice to an already mouth-watering affair.</p>
<p>Can Arsenal end a 70-month, 27-game run away at a ‘big six’ side in the Premier League without a win? Goodness gracious, we do hope so.</p>
<p>So, with that out of the way, here is what is likely to be our lineup at the Etihad Stadium – no doubting we will stick with the 3-4-3 formation.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Leno & Who Else? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders</h2>
<div id="attachment_100446" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-100446" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1195298194-850x560.jpeg" alt="Leno will start for Arsenal" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: Bernd Leno of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><strong>Bernd Leno (GK)</strong> – Without question the number one and he’ll start against Manchester City. As he will pretty much every week.</p>
<p><strong>Gabriel Magalhaes (CB)</strong> – He’ll get the nod on the left side of the three at the back. As he showed against <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/04/arsenal-player-ratings-sheffield-united/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sheffield United</a>, he has the speed to cover and the passing range to take Tierney’s place (assuming he is not allowed to play).</p>
<p><strong>David Luiz (CB)</strong> – Our experienced, if far from perfect, leader at the back will anchor the center of the three, the only place is isn’t woefully exposed. No repeat of this fixture last season, please.</p>
<p><strong>Rob Holding (CB)</strong> – Loves to show up for a challenge, has improved in one-on-one situations and will gladly take on Raheem Sterling or whoever is on the left of the City attack, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"https://metro.co.uk/2020/07/16/ian-wright-loved-watching-rob-holding-stand-sadio-mane-arsenals-win-liverpool-12997141/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hopefully throwing him to the ground like Sadio Mane</a>. Within the rules…of course.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Partey? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Arsenal Wing-Backs & Midfielders</h2>
<div id="attachment_106689" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-106689" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1277212356-850x560.jpeg" alt="Who could Arsenal sell?" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal is substituted off for Dani Ceballos (Photo by Jason Cairnduff – Pool/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><strong>Hector Bellerin (RWB)</strong> – He has shown that he is getting past the knee injury and returning to his best form, probably even the best in his whole career. Will link up play down the right and provide an outlet in advanced positions. Nailed on starter every week.</p>
<p><strong>Granit Xhaka (CM)</strong> – One of the first names on the team sheet, though that could soon change. Time is ticking on the severely immobile midfielder with the arrival of Partey who, sadly, may be given more time to embed himself in the team. Don’t foresee him starting on Saturday.</p>
<p><strong>Dani Ceballos (CM)</strong> – Copy and paste from last season’s FA Cup win in both tactics and positioning. Again, no space for Partey after such a short time with the team. Arteta will likely make that call.</p>
<p><strong>Ainsley Maitland-Niles (LWB)</strong> – Has the speed to counter Riyad Mahrez or any of the attackers City will launch down their side. Having played so well against them in the FA Cup last season, it would be unreasonable to expect anyone else here. Bukayo Saka perhaps, but for defensive stability, it’s AMN.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Auba.....And? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Arsenal Forwards</h2>
<div id="attachment_105786" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-105786" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1228468292-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal comfortably won 3-0" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (R) celebrates scoring their third goal with Arsenal’s Brazilian midfielder Willian (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><strong>Willian (RW)</strong> – By far the hardest choice for the lineup was choosing between Nicolas Pepe and the former Chelsea man. I believe that Willian will offer greater creativity on the ball in a match where we might see a surprising amount of possession. For that reason, Arteta will stick with the summer signing.</p>
<p><strong>Alexandre Lacazette (ST)</strong> – A fine set of performances in the month of September will be rewarded with a start against City. Will be tasked with being as tenacious as ever when he drops deep to link play up and make space for the wide players.</p>
<p><strong>Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (LW)</strong> – Our captain will need to pull a rabbit out of his hat again for us to get anything out of this game. Hopefully the knock he took in the Sheffield United game does not impact his display. And hey, fun fact, he’s only ever gone four consecutive league games without a goal for Arsenal once before. This will be his fourth if he doesn’t find the net.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Should Partey Start?" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/15/thomas-partey-start-man-city-arsenal/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/16/manchester-city-arsenal-thomas-partey/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/15/thomas-partey-start-man-city-arsenal/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Should Partey Start? </a> </div>
</div>
<p><strong>Bench</strong> – Thomas Partey, look for him to come on at half-time if the game is getting beyond our reach in a bid to freshen things up, or in the last 20-30 minutes to replace Xhaka if the game is tight. Elsewhere, it’ll likely be Nicolas Pepe, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka, Alex Runarsson, Sead Kolasinac, and Mohamed Elneny.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
