Manchester City will take on Arsenal this Sunday at the Etihad Stadium. The Premier League fixture between two teams who are expected to fight it out for this season’s title is a fixture that will throw up a host of subplots that will decide the game. How Pep Guardiola’s side breakdown Arsenal’s defence could go a long way in deciding Sunday’s match.
Arsenal’s defence is a strength of Mikel Arteta’s side. It forms the backbone of their play and has been a strength of the Gunners for the past two seasons. Ben White, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel form one the best back lines in the Premier League. Arsenal will likely draw confidence from their nil-all draw at the Etihad against City last season. Mikel Arteta’s side sat deep that day and frustrated the world champions. It is likely a tactic that they will employ again on Sunday.
“Arsenal have defended Haaland well in the past, can they do it again?” 🤔
Erling Haaland’s XG by game last season 👇 pic.twitter.com/VpqLosgmVh
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 19, 2024
How Manchester City go about breaking down Arsenal’s defence could go a long way in deciding Sunday’s massive fixture. It is also likely that City will have to attempt to break down the Gunner’s defence without Kevin De Bruyne. David McDonnell has reported for the Mirror that De Bruyne is likely to miss Sunday’s match. While that is a blow for Manchester City it may see Phil Foden or Ilkay Gundogan start at the Etihad. Those two players could become key in breaking down Arsenal’s defence.
The pair came on at halftime during City’s nil-all draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday evening. While they couldn’t break the deadlock they both had golden opportunities to win the game for City. Their ability to drift into pockets of space against Inter’s low defensive block almost paid dividends for the world champions. It looms as a major threat to Arsenal’s defence on Sunday. Coupled with Erling Haaland and City’s w,ingers Pep Guardiola’s side does have the weapobreak downakdown the Gunners rearguard.
In a game full of storylines Manchester City’s ability to break down Arsenal’s defence may be one of the biggest ones that decides Sunday’s fixture. There is no doubting the strength of the Gunner’s back four. It is a major weapon in their armoury. But Manchester City do have the players capable of breaking down any defence in the game. If they can do that on Sunday it may force Arsenal’s hand at the Etihad.
