Manchester City face Premier League leaders Arsenal for the first time this season tonight in the FA Cup, and despite not being a league fixture, I expect both managers to put out their strongest teams, as a win for either team could create a psychological advantage in the title race.
Here is my predicted City lineup for tonight’s clash:
GK: Stefan Ortega
City’s FA Cup goalkeeper will start tonight and due to the flowing football Arsenal are playing I expect the German international to be called into action several times.
RB: Kyle Walker
Given the directness, pace and dynamism both Gabriel Martinelli and new signing Leandro Trossard possess, Walker is an essential component in solidifying City’s backline.
CB: John Stones
A no-brainer, City’s best defender is in sensational form, and is key in progressing through the first phase and allowing the Blues to create opportunities. I hope tonight is the night Guardiola finally deploys Stones and Laporte as a centre-back combination.
CB: Aymeric Laporte
Stones’ perfect partner, Laporte possesses excellent qualities both in possession and defensively and has been exceptional for the Blues all season. I fear Laporte may leave the club this summer if the Spaniard isn’t given a substantial run in the team, like his quality warrants.
LB: Joao Cancelo
There have been rumours circulating of Cancelo potentially wanting to leave the club this summer, but I believe if the full-back can find form once more, Cancelo will return to be being a guaranteed starter week-in, week-out for Pep Guardiola’s side. With Kyle Walker at right-back providing defensive stability, Cancelo can pick up space in midfield and further forward and use his creative abilities to provide for Haaland and co.
CDM: Rodri
No explanation needed. Rodri is the best in the world in his position and his excellence isn’t really picked up on by other media outlets as much as it should. If Arsenal deploy their fantastic trio of Partey, Xhaka and Odegaard, Rodri becomes even more of a necessity.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan
The German is fantastic at dictating the tempo and offers an offensive threat and is capable of making late runs into the box and grabbing himself a goal. I expect Gundogan to have a big impact tonight.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne
City’s artist will be needed to paint a masterpiece tonight if City are to progress through. De Bruyne’s radar hasn’t been quite up to the Belgian’s elite standards for a couple of games now. But sooner or later he will explode into life. I think tonight will be that night.
RW: Riyad Mahrez
One of City’s most in-form men. Mahrez has been electric since the World Cup and has registered 10 goals and 4 assists on his last 15 appearances. Former City player Oleksandr Zinchenko will most likely be Arsenal’s starting left-back and I expect Mahrez to get the better of the Ukrainian international and cause havoc down City’s right-flank.
ST: Erling Haaland
City’s talismans first opportunity to show his prolific nature against the Premier League leaders. In Haaland’s first FA Cup appearance, the Norwegian will look to add to what already is a monumental first season in sky blue.
LW: Jack Grealish
With Phil Foden ‘getting better’ according to Guardiola, I still expect the game to be too soon for the 22-year-old to be in the starting XI. Jack Grealish will get another chance to impress. I want to see Grealish running with purpose, committing Arsenal right-back Ben White and the former Villa man to just add some variety to his wing play. Whether it’s cutting inside or beating his man down the byline, Grealish needs to play without fear and showcase his ability that earned him the move from Aston Vila.
Substitutes:
Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Phillips, Bernardo, Foden, Alvarez
Prediction:
Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal
Haaland(1), Mahrez(1), Odegaard(1)