Next: Arsenal (Away)

[AG7]

Arsenal v Manchester City
Emirates Stadium, London

Saturday 29 March 2014
Kickoff: 1730 GMT

Referee: Mike Dean
Assistants: J Collin & J Brooks
Fourth Official: Kevin Friend

TV Coverage in UK: Sky Sports 1 HD (Sky 401), Sky Sports 1 (Sky 407) and Sky 3D (Sky 170)
Coverage starts at 1700 GMT

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Right, so once again congratulations all around for the derby win ... confidence has got to be up ... and goals are back, 5 against Fulham, 3 against Scum, and not to forget what kick-started this run, the ten-man win at Hull away ...

The Opposition

Arsenal's form on the other hand is a reverse of ours since both teams got out of Champions League ... they won their local derby away at Spurs but not so convincingly ... just one goal they scored early on and then couldn't really capitalize on it. Spurs being shit of course was the other side of that coin. Then we know what happened at Chelsea last weekend and this mid-week when they needed to bounce back against Swansea at home, they slipped again ...

It's a double-edged sword ... them having lost so badly at Chelsea and not being able to bounce back at home ... either they could very well be up for it when they play next or their heads will really be down ...

Either way, they have quite a few injuries and their squad overall looks done for the season. Them also being in the FA Cup still and Wenger stating after the last game, that more than the title, it's now holding on to the 4th place they should be concerned about might see him prioritize FA Cup plus some more winnable games more than others.

Biggest plus is them missing Koscielny, Walcott, Ramsey, Wilshire, Ozil and Kallstrom ... Bendtner is fit though!
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Team Selection

We play this Saturday, then don't play till the next Saturday, then the next Sunday after that ... this game a week would see us field the best XI available, without any rotation considerations etc. Just depends on how Pellegrini plans for the game and who he thinks would suit tactically better against Arsenal ...

Aguero should be back on the bench at least ... and that'll be a huge boost, even if he stays on the bench (although very difficult that, if he makes the bench, he'll get a run out as well, even if for last 10-15 minutes).

Don't think there'll be a lot of changes from the team that played in the derby win ... however, Kolarov should play ahead of Clichy and possibly Navas to drop out in favor of either Milner (or Garcia to partner Ferdy with Yaya pushed forward) ... Don't think we'll play 4-4-2 and keep the shape we have deployed lately so one striker up front ... whether that is Dzeko or Negredo is really a toss up. On form probably Dzeko, on work rate probably the Beast (although, Dzeko too worked his arse off against Scum) ... so either will do.
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Starting XI Prediction

Hart
Zaba - Komps - Demi - Kola
Ferdy - Yaya
Milner - Nasri - Silva
Dzeko
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Score Prediction

Arsenal 0 - 3 Manchester City

Another clean sheet for Hart ... Yaya to add to his tally, Nasri to score against his old team ... and third will come from either of the strikers (depending on who's playing or has been subbed).
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Other Games

Scum host Villa in the opening game of the weekend (1245 on BT Sport). A very winnable fixture for Villa perhaps, but I won't mind Moyes winning a few for them now and getting some fan/board confidence back ... anything that helps them give him the money they plan to spend and not some new manager ... because frankly whoever replaces him, can't be as bad (read: good), right?

Chelsea then play Crystal Palace away at 1500. Palace still need points at the bottom end and this will be one game where we certainly won't mind if Pulis tactics work ... be it kicking the shit out of Chelsea players, injuring a few, parking the bus, whatever works ... and given Chelsea has a mid-week Champions League game away at PSG, so also hoping that they might just take this one a little lightly as well.

Liverpool doesn't play till Sunday, when they host Spurs at Anfield. Liverpool has been too good at home and Spurs are being Spurs of usual ... but you never know.

All three title contenders will drop some points between now and the end of the season ... needless to say that we should drop less points than the other two and that'd do it ... but let's just also hope Liverpool and Chelsea drop those points before we drop any ... will just be a little easy on the heart here on in.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Nice piece, thanks. Glad to see Dean is the ref, he's the best there is and we don't seem to get him any more. (I can't imagine why.)

[Hazy2]

Great read, just to add Nasri will be slaughtered by the home fans. Come on Samir, time to show them what a great player they lost..
0-3 and playing to an empty ground for the last 70 mins, worst deluded fans ever. WANKERS.

[sheblue]

good review. what about clichy at left back, going back to his old club and all that, he played reasonably well on tuesday night, in my view he is a better defender than kolarov, but kolarov is better from an attacking viewpoint.

[AG7]

good review. what about clichy at left back, going back to his old club and all that, he played reasonably well on tuesday night, in my view he is a better defender than kolarov, but kolarov is better from an attacking viewpoint.

Well my thinking behind Kolarov ahead of Clichy was all season Pellegrini has preferred him ahead of Clichy ... so this game being against a top 4 side ... and on Tuesday we played mid-table ;)

[sheblue]

good review. what about clichy at left back, going back to his old club and all that, he played reasonably well on tuesday night, in my view he is a better defender than kolarov, but kolarov is better from an attacking viewpoint.

Well my thinking behind Kolarov ahead of Clichy was all season Pellegrini has preferred him ahead of Clichy ... so this game being against a top 4 side ... and on Tuesday we played mid-table ;)

true, but i dont we need kolarov if there is only 1 striker, and better to be more defensively sound away from home.

[carolina-blue]

Very nice thank you . I have tickets for this game flying in tomorrow watch the match flyback monday taking an extra day this time flying back on the sunday like I did for the stoke game a couple of weeks ago was to much . Can see us winning this one 2-1 Nasri and YaYa Come on City

[Saul Goodman]

Arsenal are reeling. Hopefully we punish them.


It'd be great if Aguero made the bench and got 10 mins.

[South Stand Balti]

Thanks for the intro...as good as a Mario penalty. I think MP will pick the side you have but personally I would go with Clichy again. He gets better the more he plays and his pace is needed to cover for our lack of pace at left CB. Kolarov is better going forward but our midfield does nt need much attacking help.
I would play Lescott. Daft Martin had a good game v Utd but he did have a daft 10 mins in the second half with 3 poor passes which could have cost us. This will happen again and we may not get away with it next time.

[Lawro]

Arsenal v Man City (17:30 GMT)
Arsenal are missing a few players and they did OK against Swansea to battle back from 1-0 down to draw 2-2.


"No disrespect to Sheffield United, Hull or Wigan but I'd like Arsenal to win the FA Cup. I think Arsene Wenger is a very good manager and everyone is sick of hearing the stats about their wait for a trophy. It would shut them up."

They won't win the league whether they win, lose or draw this one. They've not got enough.

I'm not sure it's just their mentality in the big games. Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea away - they've conceded eight goals in the first 20 minutes. That sounds to me like they weren't prepared, which is a strange thing.

I saw Per Mertesacker say that they've not come to terms with the early kick-offs. That's really funny, because the opposition have. Arsenal are a good side but they're not good enough.

I was so impressed by Manchester City in midweek. They were very good. In every department they were better than United. They were at a different level in terms of pace and David Silva was the game's best player.

City have the bit between their teeth - they're playing very well. I'm not going to say Arsenal are imploding but City are a much better side and have lots of confidence. They're starting to look like they're full of goals and really dangerous.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2

[Hutch's Shoulder]

Arsenal v Man City (17:30 GMT) Arsenal are missing a few players and they did OK against Swansea to battle back from 1-0 down to draw 2-2. "No disrespect to Sheffield United, Hull or Wigan but I'd like Arsenal to win the FA Cup. I think Arsene Wenger is a very good manager and everyone is sick of hearing the stats about their wait for a trophy. It would shut them up." They won't win the league whether they win, lose or draw this one. They've not got enough. I'm not sure it's just their mentality in the big games. Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea away - they've conceded eight goals in the first 20 minutes. That sounds to me like they weren't prepared, which is a strange thing. I saw Per Mertesacker say that they've not come to terms with the early kick-offs. That's really funny, because the opposition have. Arsenal are a good side but they're not good enough. I was so impressed by Manchester City in midweek. They were very good. In every department they were better than United. They were at a different level in terms of pace and David Silva was the game's best player. City have the bit between their teeth - they're playing very well. I'm not going to say Arsenal are imploding but City are a much better side and have lots of confidence. They're starting to look like they're full of goals and really dangerous. Lawro's prediction: 0-2

Good old Lawro, all that then goes for 2-0 again, as predictable as he will say Liverpool to win. Hope he's right about us anyway.

[AG7]

BREAKING: Daily Mirror is breaking that David Silva has had an ankle injury and is now a major doubt for City's trip to Arsenal on Saturday.

[AG7]

Full text if Mirror's story:

Manchester City's David Silva a major doubt for Arsenal clash because of ankle injury

27 March 2014 09:51 PM By David McDonnell

Title-chasers' playmaker is having intensive treatment on knock picked up in derby win at Old Trafford to try to get him ready for Saturday

David Silva is a major injury doubt for title favourites Manchester City’s crunch trip to Arsenal.

Silva suffered an ankle injury in City’s emphatic 3-0 derby win over local rivals Manchester United on Tuesday.

Although the Spanish midfielder played the full 90 minutes at Old Trafford, it is understood he felt pain in the ankle immediately after the game.

He has undergone intensive treatment on the problem to try to ensure he is fit for Saturday's tea-time visit to the Emirates, with the Blues’ medical staff prepared to wait until the last minute before deciding whether he can start.

The loss of Silva for clash with fourth-placed Arsenal would be a major blow to City, who are currently three points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand.

They will be six points adrift by kick-off if Jose Mourinho's men win at relegation-threatened Crystal Palace earlier in the day.

Silva was one of City’s stand-out performers in their emphatic win at United and is an integral part of boss Manuel Pellegrini’s plans.

City are already without their top scorer Sergio Aguero, who continues to be troubled by an ongoing hamstring problem.

[littlebig]

Being reported in the guardian as well.

"David Silva's fitness in question for Manchester City's Arsenal game"

Manchester City are waiting on the fitness of David Silva as they set about trying to close the gap on Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

Silva suffered an unspecified injury in the 3-0 win at Manchester United and is undergoing tests to establish whether he will have to miss City's trip to fourth-placed Arsenal on Saturday. The Spaniard was one of the outstanding players against United and played the entire game but has needed treatment over the last two days and will almost certainly have to prove his fitness in Friday's training session if the manager, Manuel Pellegrini, is to risk involving him.

City are three points behind Chelsea but have two games in hand and a superior goal difference. After the game at Arsenal they face Southampton at home and then have a trip to Liverpool.

[bayblue]

Full text if Mirror's story: Manchester City's David Silva a major doubt for Arsenal clash because of ankle injury 27 March 2014 09:51 PM By David McDonnell Title-chasers' playmaker is having intensive treatment on knock picked up in derby win at Old Trafford to try to get him ready for Saturday David Silva is a major injury doubt for title favourites Manchester City’s crunch trip to Arsenal. Silva suffered an ankle injury in City’s emphatic 3-0 derby win over local rivals Manchester United on Tuesday. Although the Spanish midfielder played the full 90 minutes at Old Trafford, it is understood he felt pain in the ankle immediately after the game. He has undergone intensive treatment on the problem to try to ensure he is fit for Saturday's tea-time visit to the Emirates, with the Blues’ medical staff prepared to wait until the last minute before deciding whether he can start. The loss of Silva for clash with fourth-placed Arsenal would be a major blow to City, who are currently three points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand. They will be six points adrift by kick-off if Jose Mourinho's men win at relegation-threatened Crystal Palace earlier in the day. Silva was one of City’s stand-out performers in their emphatic win at United and is an integral part of boss Manuel Pellegrini’s plans. City are already without their top scorer Sergio Aguero, who continues to be troubled by an ongoing hamstring problem.

If Silva doesn't play then this is a big big game for Nasri. The setting is perfect - just hope he can deliver!

[MilnersJaw]

Let Sergio stay on the bench. We have seen him get injured too easily.

[TheBlueCatsWhiskers]

If Silva injured then start Jovetic with Aguero to come off the bench if needed. Otherwise same team as v the rags.

[AG7]

Pellegrini just confirmed that Aguero will stay back in Manchester so not even on the bench ... and Silva is fine and in the squad.

But Nasti, Boyata and Richards (sigh) again are all injured ... so no right back cover, probably means he'll keep Milner on the bench and might go 4-4-2 with Jovetic being the second striker ... unless Garcia starts alongside Ferdy and Yaya.

[CTID Hants]

Assuming that Silva plays (Peller said he is in the "squad") then i can't see any reason not start with the same 11 that dealt with the rags.

If he goes 4-4-2 then Kolarov instead of Clichy and i think we need to see Negredo up along side Dzeko too, sonner or later the Beast needs to find his form again. I know it's not the ideal pairing but i believe it is a better offering than having Jovetic in the mix at this stage.

Whatever happens i don't want a repeat of two years ago (almost to the day) where they snuck a late goal against us to take the 3 points :-(

That said, this time around i don't see it happening with their depleted squad and with us hopefully continuing to remember where the onion bag is.

I am also glad that they have played Hull since their arse kicking of last weekend, if they had it in them they would properly bounced back against Hull, but they didn't

[Wonderwall]

is it more of a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-5-1 or a 4-4.5-1.5?