Arsenal (A) Pre match thread

[Harvster]

Emerson
Walker
Kompany
Stones
Mendy
KDB
Fernandinho
Bernardo
Mahrez
Agüero
Sané

If only Paul Lake & Roger Palmer were still in the squad

 

[Silva_Spell]

Predicting:
Sane Aguero Mahrez
Bernardo De Bruyne
Mendy Fernandinho Walker
Laporte Kompany
Ederson
Bravo, Delph, Stones, Gundogan, Foden, Sterling, G.Jesus

Maybe Gundogan instead of KDB

Arsenals back 4 could be:
Bellerin Sokratis Mustafi Niles

Got to fancy tearing that apart​

 

[Ric]

Sane vs Bellerin will be super fun for us, assuming he starts. This will be a tough game but I am cautiously optimistic. 2-1 City.

Only worry is that Sane looked a bit disinterested in the Charity Shield, when he was hooked at half time. Wonder if Guardiola might leave him out to make a point?

 

[mosssideblue]

Predicting:
Sane Aguero Mahrez
Bernardo De Bruyne
Mendy Fernandinho Walker
Laporte Kompany
Ederson
Bravo, Delph, Stones, Gundogan, Foden, Sterling, G.Jesus

Maybe Gundogan instead of KDB

Arsenals back 4 could be:
Bellerin Sokratis Mustafi Niles

Got to fancy tearing that apart​

No Merlin?

 

[richards30]

No Merlin?

I just thought that! Lol

 

[MCFCFanTX]

Only worry is that Sane looked a bit disinterested in the Charity Shield, when he was hooked at half time. Wonder if Guardiola might leave him out to make a point?

It is definitely a possibility because Pep usually picks his team based off effort in practice and in previous games.
However, the Charity Shield is still a glorified friendly. If Sane practiced well this week, then I think he will start. His record against Arsenal is exceptional. He gives Bellerin nightmares and if they start Lichtsteiner instead, that would also be advantageous to Sane, I believe.

Overall, I think we go with:
Ederson
Walker-Stones-Laporte-Mendy
Fernandinho
Bernardo-Gundogan (I don't believe KDB is up to speed plus Silva has a knock, I believe)
Mahrez-Aguero-Sane

Bench- Bravo, Foden, Kompany, Jesus, KDB, Sterling/Brahim, Delph

I think our wingers have a heavy advantage against their fullbacks and I don't think their back line can hold up against our attack.

 

[Shaelumstash]

No Merlin?

It’s weird, it happens every pre-season. Loads of fans, especially new ones, pick their starting 11s and David Silva is nowhere to be seen. Shiny new toy syndrome. Then he ends up being our best player again.

 

[Ric]

It’s weird, it happens every pre-season. Loads of fans, especially new ones, pick their starting 11s and David Silva is nowhere to be seen. Shiny new toy syndrome. Then he ends up being our best player again.

I don't think it's that. Just that the likes of him, De Bruyne and Sterling have had shorter pre-seasons than most and haven't played any football yet since the World Cup. I think Guardiola will gradually ease them back in, rather than risk burn out later in the season. Most sensible City fans would have David Silva in their strongest XI still.

 

[Cotton Weave Blue]

Is Laporte fit to play?

 

[Withnail]

Only worry is that Sane looked a bit disinterested in the Charity Shield, when he was hooked at half time. Wonder if Guardiola might leave him out to make a point?

I seem to recall Sane having a slow start last season and then he just exploded and had a superb season. If Pep detects any lack of effort then he will not play.