ARSENAL VS CITY: MATCH DAY #4
Finally after a looong week of International football is over! As always, it always comes at a hefty cost; lots and lots of injury/fitness concerns. Ramsey still remains a doubt after he rolled his ankle late on in Wales 2-1 win against Andorra. Good news however is Welbeck proved he certainly is Arsenal's bargain buy with two exquisite goals against Switzerland in a night he preciously owned. In less than a few hours we will be hosting premier league champs in our own back yard in one of this weekends super fixture.Manchester city are on the back of a 0-1 shocking loss to Stoke city as they travel to North London to face an unbeaten Wenger side. Arsenal on the other side are yet to find their fold after seemingly struggling against the three sides they have already faced (Leicester,Everton,Crystal Palace) having only won once and two dramatic draws to see them sitting 7th on the log so far.
The last time this two sides met, was 5 weeks back in the Community shield when Pellegrini's men were hammered 3-0 courtesy of goals from Cazorla,Ramsey and a superb effort from he injured Giroud at Wembley.
A point of concern was that the Eastlanders had few of their first team players in with a mix of rookie young players. Today they are expected to field thei best XI with Jovetic appearing to be their only injury concern after the Montenegrin; who has already scored twice in three games, pulled his hamstring while on duty with his national side.
Wenger thinks not;
"I think the coincidence was that we played against very strong teams away from home at 12.45," Wenger said.
"I think it was more the quality of our opponents and the lack of quality in our performance that produced a result, not the kick-off time.
"At home we've played well at 12.45. In the FA Cup we had great games at 12.45. It's not the kick-off time, it's your performance. It's how you turn up. At 12.45 or three o'clock - for me that's just talk. It's the quality of the performance that counts.
"Would you rather kick off at 3 o’clock or 12.45? It’s two hours and
15 minutes. That does not produce a miracle in your physical recovery.
Sometimes maybe, on our side, we go a bit too much overboard on that. I
think 12.45 is a good kick-off time. I like it." The manager however stressed out that today's fixture represents a wonderful chance for the Gunners to show what they are really made of."We have now got the opportunity to show that we have grown as a team, that we are more mature and ready for the fight. Let’s do it.
"I don’t think that this game is very important for us mathematically [just] because we dropped points away from home [at Everton and Leicester]. But it gives us credibility and confidence if we do well.
Wenger was full of praise on his deadline day signing;
"He can make himself a better player [here] because I can help him. He's a young boy, he's not 24 yet and let's not forget that some players who arrived here at the age of 23 made huge careers here so I hope we can contribute and help him.”
“If I had not traveled that day, Welbeck would not be here,” he said. “I'll explain that a bit later but the coincidence made that because I was on my way. If I had stayed at home, Welbeck would not be here today. That's the truth.
TEAM NEWS:
Arteta and Gibbs are back in the squad and in normal training. Ozil had a knock and didn't play for Germany because he had a sprained ankle. He will be available as well.
Walcott is two to three weeks away from joining full training.
STATS;
Flamini
Sanchez,wilshere,Cazorla,Ozil
Welbeck
My predicted subs; Martinez,Chambers,Monreal,Ramsey,Arteta ,Ox,Sanogo
My Arsenal v City predictions;3-2
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