Arsenal Calum Chambers Arsenal vs Sheffield United
Calum Chambers Arsenal

Arsenal finally picked up their first win of the new season beating West Brom 6-0 in the Carabao Cup in midweek. But Mikel Arteta’s side could be staring at yet another loss as they prepare to take on Manchester City.

The Gunners face Man City in their third league match of the season and City go into this game at the back of a 5-0 win over Norwich City.

There’s no doubt Pep Guardiola’s side are the odds out favourites to win this encounter on Saturday and some experts even think Arsenal might park the bus just to avoid an awkward scoreline.

Players like Aubameyang and Pepe all got goals in midweek which will be a big confidence booster but the manager has more than half a dozen absentees for the City game so even a point on Saturday will be nothing short of a victory for the North London side.

Arsenal team news vs Manchester City:

Gabriel and Ben White are both ruled out for this weekend’s game meaning Pablo Mari and Rob Holding will have to pair up in central defence.

Mari had a nightmare against Chelsea so we think Calum Chambers might be used as centre-back this time around. Chambers has previously been used in that role so this tweak will not be a bind throw of the dice from the manager.

The manager told the press in midweek: “From Covid, we still have Ben out and Alex Runarsson who has been out. The rest of the players that are missing are injuries and long-term injuries that we don’t have back yet.

“Gabriel is getting closer. He had a couple of sessions with the team but we don’t know. Let’s see tomorrow how he is.

“Ben is asymptomatic, he’s been feeling good and as quick as we can, we’re going to bring him back to training and starting to play games with us again.”

 

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Thomas Partey is another player who is on the sidelines and will not be available for selection. This means Lokonga and Granit Xhaka will pair up in central midfield with Martin Odegaard playing as the No 10.

Aubameyang scored a hat-trick against West Brom while playing up front and if Bukayo Saka is not ruled out then Auba will hold onto that position.

Saka picked up a slight knock in midweek and the manager is still not sure about his selection on Saturday.

“Bukayo was limping after the match, we’ll see today how the knee reacts but he had a knock,” the manager has admitted.

The injury did not look too serious so the youngster should be fit enough to start against Manchester City on the left flank while Nicolas Pepe operates on the other side.

But if Saka is not 100% then the Arsenal boss will have to slot Emile Smith Rowe in that wider role.

Read: 4-3-3 Man City’s predicted line up vs Arsenal.

Read: Arsenal receive four major selection boosts for the Man City clash.

Read: Arsenal set to miss as many as six first-team players against Manchester City.

Read: Here’s why Arsenal are wasting unnecessary money in the transfer market this summer.