I am looking forward to being at The Etihad on Saturday afternoon, and hopefully having a festive, celebratory beer or two. Once again not much optimism from the away fans for this game, they don’t seem to have a lot of faith in team selection. There is also lots of moaning about being forced to play so soon after their Italy trip. They are making excuses for a loss before the first ball is kicked, which is a good sign, I think.
Team Selection
--------------------Szczesny
-Jenkinson-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Gibbs
--------------Ramsey---Flamini
Walcott------------Ozil--------Wilshere
-------------------Giroud
My Favourite
Unfortunately, the only way I see us winning this game is ManCity having a shocker. We are showing too much respect for top opponents and consequently choking big games.
And the rest...
Going to be incredibly hard. I'm expecting a loss tbh. And we shoudln't treat that as the end of the world (unless we get smashed, that would be hard to take). City are outstanding at home and snatching a draw would be massive. If we can give a good account of ourselves I'll be ok with it.
3 wishes: 1- I Hope Walcott start 2- I Hope Sagna is fit 3- I hope we win or at least get a point.
Ramsey Arteta, have played in all our biggest wins bar the Napoli game. They must start with Walcott and Wilshere.
The team have been clearly conserving energy these last two games, no more excuses. We fail to show up here and the confidence built up all season goes up in flames and worse still Chelsea will smell blood.
We need few fresh legs for this...and i just dread this game now, barely 2 days rest, if only it was at Emirates ok, but just to rub it in its away, for the love of god...hopefully we can get away with a point, maybe even 3 if we turn up!
If we go into this match with a high intensity and players willing to make those tiring runs in behind to provide a goal threat there's no reason why we can't get a good result. City are very beatable as Bayern proved when they destroyed them at the Etihad. United and Tottenham just played the game in their hands and deservedly got hammered but there's no reason why we cant take advantages of their weaknesses defensively in midfield and at the back
Think we'll lose this. Looking a bereft of real attacking intent or incisiveness the last two games. Hope Walcott starts. Think him plus Özil will be vital to carry on our success through the season. Worried out styles going to get a bit stale. Rosicky has annoyed me the last couple of times he's played as well. Tries stupid Hollywood balls and switches the play for no good reason.
Walcott must start. We'll be pressed back all game and he could be the difference in knicking a goal or two on the counter
Big game this. A strong test, and arguably an even bigger test than it was before. Test of resilience, and being able to bounce back.
We always play well at the Etihad, so we have a chance. I have a feeling we will get comprehensively beaten though
We do always play well there. That's what Im clinging to for dear life.
This game is far bigger than it should be now. If Everton and Napoli were big tests we failed, then we can't make it a trio. Defeat is out of the question.
If Clichy going to start for city then Walcott must start we know how awful Clichy is
I can't see this ending well for us. We're looking tired and I'd expect us to be even more tired here
Some idiots scheduled this game. How the **** do they expect us to play 60 hours after travelling to Italy? Why can't this game be on Monday night? City have an extra days' rest, plus most of their big names didn't feature so they will be fresh.
Man City were OK against Bayern, But Bayern were complacent and played in 2nd gear. they were lucky with the Pen and Boateng made a Clanger.
We should go out there and play football against Man City, We are the better footballing side, its going to be an entertaining game, Defensively we are solid, but having Sanga back is a must, Jenkinson is a liability.
I think Pelligrini will employ the same tactics as Martinez with both full backs push high due to the lack of pace on our wings. For that reason Theo has to start as it will require Man City to modify their approach. High line with Theo is almost suicidal for City.
I do fear Wenger is going to go with another 5-man midfield. Flamini and Arteta in the middle and a front 3 of Wilshere-Ozil-Ramsey.
It would be shocking if Theo doesn't play against Man City. We need his pace and Giroud has been seriously struggling for about a month now so we need another offensive threat.
1-0 to the Arsenal
Sorry to say, but we will lose either 3-1 or 2-0.
I don't trust Wenger to do what's needed for this: drop Giroud and Arteta.
[youtube]7657Hb27K4c[/youtube]
