The Master against his Protégé is how Arsenal against Manchester City is seen as. Mikel Arteta left his life in Manchester to lead Arsenal back to their glory days. While Manchester City has emerged as an improved version of themselves, Arsenal has had a fair share of success and failures. The style of play that Arteta portrayed on the pitch wasn’t as attractive as it seemed on the paper. Criticism and backlash were bound to be followed. But now the trust of management in Arteta’s vision has started to bear fruits. Arsenal has secured the fourth position as of now. Their trust in young players who are backed by the experienced ones on the pitch is the base on which Arteta laid the pillars of success.
For Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, it has been business as usual. Success has followed Pep throughout this career and this season feels like no exception. Even without a striker, the goals have come flying in. With seventeen different scorers, Pep and his players have shown that he can take his player beyond their potential. With the end of the year, 2021 Manchester City is on top of the table with an eight-point buffer.
Their last encounter ended as a nightmare for Arsenal. A 5-0 defeat at the Etihad stadium will surely serve as a reminder for the players to turn the tables around this time.
ARS vs MCI Team News :
Aubameyang will miss the fixture due to the AFCON Cup this month. Cedric and Tomiaysu are struggling from COVID and they are likely to remain sidelined for the upcoming fixture. Mikel Arteta will also be unavailable in Arsenal’s camp as his struggle to recover from COVID continues. His absence can have an impact on the way Arsenal performs on the pitch.
Manchester City has a fully fit squad. The only possible absentee could be the Portuguese full-back in the wake of the attack he and his family faced last night.
ARS vs MCI Predicted Line-up :
Arsenal 4-5-1
(GK) A. Ramsdale
(CB) B. White
(CB) G. Magalhaes
(LB) K. Tierney
(RB) R. Holding
(CM) E. S. Rowe
(CM) G. Xhaka
(LM) G. Martinelli
(RM) B. Saka
(ST) A. Lacazette
Manchester City 4-3-3
(GK) Ederson
(CB) A. Laporte
(CB) R. Dias
(LB) A. Zinchenko
(RB) K. Walker
(CDM) Rodri
(CM) K. De Bruyne
(CM) B. Silva
(RW) R. Sterling
(LW) P. Foden
(ST) G. Jesus
ARS vs MCI Dream 11 Team Prediction :
Match Prediction : Arsenal 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester City is at their peak right now, Arsenal without Arteta’s presence on the pitchside will certainly have an impact on their performance. City will likely dominate possession throughout the game and Arsenal is likely to score on the counterattack. In terms of tactical and skills, Manchester City will edge past Arsenal on the first day of 2022.
