I’m an fan of offensive football. I love goals and smooth flowing, attacking football, however, Sunday’s game requires Arsenal to take a very different approach. They need to park the bus!
Pep Guardiola and his team come to the Emirates with a +25 goal differential in the Premier League. They are averaging almost 3 goals per game, so the Gunners defense will be hard pressed to stop such an attack. We just allow too many goals.
So, in my opinion, Freddie must park the bus on Sunday, and hope to get a few opportunities on the counter-attack. In my opinion, if our club goes in with an attacking approach, the Arsenal midfield and back line will get cut to pieces like Swiss cheese. I think we must play defensive football and hope for a draw. A lop-sided win for City would again be demoralizing for Arsenal. I just don’t see anyway other than to approach this game defensively.
With that said, here’s my projected Arsenal starting XI…
Leno
Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Luiz, Sokratis, Kolasinac
Torreira, Guendouzi, Willock
Lacazette, Aubameyang, Pepe
Predicted final score…
Arsenal 1 – Manchester City 2
Obviously, this game has a lot of meaning for the Freddie-era, and to the rest of the season. We need a good, solid effort, and the Gunners need to take advantage of any and all opportunities that come their way. It’s time to park the bus for this one.
Cheers. Gunner1953