Lovebitesandeveryfing
Well-Known Member
Let's hope that both Bernardo and Stones can get a chunk of the game tomorrow night to get them up to some sort of speed. Johnny's been out for so long, though, that I'm not very hopeful.
Pressure just got worse for Arsenal with Saka injured apparently. Bring it on!City are pretty good about not bringing players back from injury too soon, so if they’re in the squad tomorrow, I’d expect Bernardo & Stones to both get minutes against RBL, otherwise not worth them going. Therefore, I’d expect them to both start against Arsenal. Where? Not sure!!!
Anything other than a loss is a result for us at the moment, but I think we have the team to win. Arsenal are not a 5-4-1 team, so that will help us play as much as us not being one will help them.
We are currently (pre-RBL) not in a great moment, so I feel like Arsenal & Arteta are the ones shouldering the bulk of the pressure in this one.
Onwards and upwards
Saka being out is a big plus. If he plays then he won’t be 100% either - win-win.
Not sure about that, Ake had Saka on toast last season. Martinelli also can be negated by Kyle Walker's pace but an early yellow and the pressure is on.And a nice early kick to the ankle should put an end to his time on the pitch! It's a huge plus for us. Based on how we've defended recently against direct running, Saka was a major worry.
Arsenal fans now totally convinced it ends with a City win after the injuries to Martinelli.
Still think,
Raya
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko
Rice, Jorginho
Trossard, Odegaard, Jesus
Nketiah
is strong enough to cause us real problems, though. Get the feeling they'll leave Vieira and Havertz out of this to try and impose themselves physically on our Rodri-less midfield. They'll have Rice and another deep-lying ball player next to him. Although if Stones is fit I imagine we'll have him and Kovacic behind Bernardo and Foden, so it'll basically be like for like on both sides.
For us, Grealish has to start. He's dynamite in these big games.
Ederson
Walker, Dias, Akanji
Stones, Kovacic
Bernardo, Alvarez, Foden, Grealish
Haaland
We'll play Partey next to Rice and Odegaard, Partey is back now and was on the bench vs Lens. Martinelli may also play. You never know with Saka, he's 'injured' every game and yet seems to make a Lazarus-like recovery each time.If they play that team we'll beat them.
Is Martinelli definitely out?