Preview
Before August 31st, Danny Welbeck, in the eyes of most English football fans, was an incredibly average footballer. Sixteen-million pounds, an excursion down the M1 and two goals against an unimpressive Switzerland side later, and the 23-year-old is now regarded as the answer to both Arsenal's and England's weaknesses up front.
It is likely that this abrupt change of heart could be the result of Welbeck leaving a club many people love to hate. The striker drags along with him a humiliating record of 20 goals in 92 league appearances for Manchester United, and that record should be questioned. Louis Van Gaal may have suffered an equally embarrassing start to life at Old Trafford, but the Dutchman swiftly banished a man who didn't meet the standards of his ambitious project at United, and brought in a replacement who has scored 39 goals in his last 54 appearances.
The 20-time English champions have lost a workhorse; but not a proven goalscorer, and they'll be stronger for it.
(Arsenal need a goalscorer, but Welbeck is unlikely to attain to Arsène Wenger's problems)
What Welbeck will add to Arsène Wenger's squad is pace, and pace is something Manchester City have shown they struggle to deal with. Stoke City's Mame Biram Diouf bludgeoned the Premier League champions with a ferocious exhibition of speed two weeks ago to condemn the blues to their first league defeat of the season, and Manuel Pellegrini must plug his midfield in a bid to thwart the respective qualities of Alexis Sánchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey on Saturday.
The Chilean is likely to employ a 4-5-1 system, and James Milner could line up alongside Fernandinho in place of the injured Fernando. Yaya Touré, David Silva and Samir Nasri will be given freedom to roam just in front of Arsenal's defence, and the agility of Sergio Agüero should be preferred over the height of Edin Džeko in the lone role up front. The Bosnian certainly offers physicality going forward, but Agüero's speed and eye for goal will pose more problems to the heavy legs of Per Mertesacker.
(James Milner could replace the injured Fernando in the centre of midfield)
Stevan Jovetić has been reacquainted with the Etihad Stadium's injury table after picking up a hamstring injury on international duty for Montenegro, but Pablo Zabaleta is fit to play despite limping off in Argentina's 4-1 win over Germany last week. Frank Lampard and Eliaquim Mangala are also available for selection.
Both sides suffered minor hic-ups against lowly opposition a fortnight ago, but the weekend clash will present a test of strength and resolve to both title challengers. A loss for the Gunners would give Arsenal fans yet another reason to verbally assault their manager, but a successive defeat for Manuel Pellegrini would raise serious questions over his side's ability to defend their title.
Prediction: 2-1
Line-Ups
Possible Arsenal starting XI
- Frightening pace up front
- Özil unlikely to track back - gives City an outlet down the left
- Welbeck in line to make his debut
- Ramsey has a 'small chance' of starting
Possible Manchester City starting XI
- Mangala could make his debut
- Zabaleta fit to play, ruling out a reunion between Sagna and his old teammates
- James Milner could replace the injured Fernando
Match Stats
- Manchester City have only lost two of their last nine games against Arsenal
- The blues haven't lost two consecutive games since October 2010
- City have lost only once on their last 5 away trips to the Emirates (D, W, L, D, D)
- Arsenal conceded five goals or more in three Premier League games last season - all were 12.45 kick-offs against top-four finishers
