Arsenal will aim to avoid defeat when they face Manchester City in a crucial Premier League clash this weekend at the Etihad Stadium. The Gunners, hoping for a positive result, are considered strong contenders due to their solid away record against Manchester City.
A victory would push Arsenal up the league standings, securing 13 points from five matches. Head coach Mikel Arteta is expected to field a strong squad for the game.
Arteta may employ two tactical formations to outplay Manchester City. In a possible 4-1-4-1 formation, David Raya would start in goal, with William Saliba and Gabriel as centre-backs and Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori as full-backs. Thomas Partey would serve as the defensive midfielder, while Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard act as playmakers. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka would take up the wings, and Gabriel Jesus would lead the attack.
Alternatively, Arteta could opt for a 4-5-1 setup, featuring David Raya in goal, Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhães as centre-backs, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jurrien Timber as full-backs, and a midfield trio of Jorginho, Thomas Partey, and Declan Rice. Havertz and Trossard would support lone striker Gabriel Jesus upfront.
Arsenal £25m target 'felt isolated' as multiple bids rejected by selling club
Arsenal transfer target Joan Garcia insists he was not distracted by the Gunners' late interest - despite feeling isolated during the final stretch of the summer window. The 23-year-old Espanyol goalkeeper was the subject of multiple late bids from Arsenal but the La Liga outfit remained firm, communicating that Olympic gold medalist Garcia would only depart if his £25m release clause was met. Arsenal felt that figure was somewhat steep and instead landed experienced Brazilian Neto on loan from Bournemouth following the sale of Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton. However, they are expected to reignite their interest in Garcia - a signing recommended by goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana - at a later date. The player has now said on his failed move to the Emirates: “During the entire market I was quite isolated. I was at the Olympic Games and when I arrived La Liga was already starting. The last few days were more intense, but I was very isolated, focusing on what I had to do, which is the field. I managed not to get distracted.
“Regarding my continuity, I am very happy that people are happy that I have stayed. I have worked all these years for this – playing with Espanyol in the First Division – and this is how it is. I hope to take advantage of it.
“With the Olympic Games I came when the season was already beginning. I’ve barely had time to think about it. It was the opportunity I’ve been working for, and I couldn’t afford to have my head out of it. Everything comes to you, but I had to be very calm with my head where it should be.”
Sources close to Garcia anticipate that Arsenal could re-explore a move for the Spaniard as early as December, ahead of the January transfer window.
But even if he does eventually get his switch to north London, he will remain second in command to No.1 David Raya, who is currently in the form of his life following a stunning double save in the Champions League against Atalanta on Thursday night. Mikel Arteta, the key driving force behind Arsenal's decision to replace Ramsdale with Raya, said when asked whether the controversial call has given the ex-Brentford man confidence: “That’s a question for him. Certainly last year was already very impressive. Even with that different context for sure. This season he’s been exceptional. The save he made against Villa and today kept us in the game. You need that from a goalkeeper at this level. I’m really happy he’s in that form at the moment.”
