What to look out for as Arsenal face Manchester City in crucial Premier League clash

Pierre-Emerick Aubemyang

What to look out for as Arsenal face Manchester City in crucial Premier League clash

By Harry Lanzano

Ever since Sheikh Mansour bought Manchester City and Robinho embarrassed Manuel Almunia, the Etihad Stadium has been a place to dread for Arsenal fans. 

That 3-0 defeat, cemented by the Brazilian’s lob in November 2008 and just three months after City became the richest club in the world, was dismissed as a one-off back then. 

After all, City had Mark Hughes in charge and Arsenal had Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and a Premier League title to fight for. 

But the Gunners have won just two of their subsequent 12 trips to east Manchester, and zero Premier League titles to City's four.

Those rare moments of light came in a convincing 3-0 victory in October 2010 and 2-0 success in January 2015. But in those 12 games, they have scored 16 times and conceded 28. 

However, 2020 feels different. Arsenal are flying high – even if their performances haven’t quite merited the nine points they have – while City seem in a funk. So brilliant in the early Pep Guardiola years, their defensive flaws are obvious – and consistently exploited. 

Of course, City have more than enough to blow Arsenal away should the mood take them. But Mikel Arteta, Guardiola’s pupil for so long as his assistant coach, schooled the old master when they met in the FA Cup semi-finals last season. 

Here’s watch to look out for: 

IT’S TIME TO PARTEY

He hasn’t even played a game for Arsenal yet but already Thomas Partey is being anointed as the powerful midfielder they’ve missed since Patrick Vieira departed 15 years ago. 

The former Atletico Madrid man is available to play and is expected to come straight into the side for his debut, and luckily for him he won’t have to face City's Kevin de Bruyne, who’s ruled out through injury. 




All eyes will be on Partey and how Arteta uses him. Will he start straight away? For the price they paid (£45m), you’d think so. But will that mean the creative Dani Ceballos drops out, or the steady eddie that is Granit Xhaka? 

Partey already appears to be the best ball-winner the Gunners have and against a City midfield that hogs the ball better than any other English side, he will be put to the test straight away. 

Whatever Arteta decides, it’s a nice problem to have and how Partey performs could dictate how this match goes. 

WILL AUBAMEYANG BE FIT?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did not report for international duty with Gabon during the break, with an ankle injury suffered in the 2-1 win against Sheffield United ruling him out. 

Gabon coach Patrice Neveu: "Aubameyang suffers from a small sprained ankle, contracted on Sunday, during the Premier League match against Sheffield [United]. 

"The Arsenal doctor sent me a certificate indicating his unavailability. He is in care for a week.” 

The Gunners captain has returned to training this week but has not been ruled in or out as of yet. City will no doubt be hoping he is out after his display in the Cup semi-finals, scoring twice. 

If he does miss the game, that puts a lot of pressure on Alexandre Lacazette to deliver goals. The Frenchman has three in four games this season but was guilty of missed chances in the 3-1 loss at Liverpool, while Bukayo Saka could be asked to push up and take Aubameyang’s place on the left. 

CAN BELLERIN STOP STERLING?

In four Premier League games, Hector Bellerin has two yellow cards and both of those came in away games at Fulham and Liverpool. 

Sadio Mane and Andrew Robertson peppered Arsenal’s right-hand side during their 3-1 success at Anfield and Guardiola will be desperate to get Raheem Sterling involved as much as he can. 

With De Bruyne ruled out and Sergio Aguero still on the sidelines, City need someone to step up and be the man and Sterling will be expected to deliver cutting in from the left. 

The England forward has had injury issues of his own and withdrew from the national squad due to a hamstring injury, but is expected to start. 

After a slow adjustment to football post-lockdown, Sterling has three goals in his last two City games and will have Bellerin in his sights on Saturday.

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