LOSS PL: Manchester City 2 - 1 Arsenal | Sunday 19th April | KO: 16:30 BST | Sky Sports

Once lovers now rivals… apart from the sideshow with the Scousers and the Bald Dutchman last year this is the true title race we have come to know.



Pretty bleak run in to this season defining game form wise but crucially we will have a better squad available (hopefully) than Bournemouth or Sporting.



This lineup is controversial and depends on three players coming back who’ve been absent but Havertz up top changed the way we played tonight.

The ball stuck with him and it allowed Noni and Trossard to get on the ball more in dangerous areas. That will be crucial to hit City on the break on Sunday.

Bring Gyok off the bench by all means and just pray that Rice and Zubimendi can make it through before a well deserved week off.

COYG please for once in my life!

 

[blaze_of_glory]

View attachment 45457

Once lovers now rivals… apart from the sideshow with the Scousers and the Bald Dutchman last year this is the true title race we have come to know.

View attachment 45460

Pretty bleak run in to this season defining game form wise but crucially we will have a better squad available (hopefully) than Bournemouth or Sporting.

View attachment 45459

This lineup is controversial and depends on three players coming back who’ve been absent but Havertz up top changed the way we played tonight.

The ball stuck with him and it allowed Noni and Trossard to get on the ball more in dangerous areas. That will be crucial to hit City on the break on Sunday.

Bring Gyok off the bench by all means and just pray that Rice and Zubimendi can make it through before a well deserved week off.

COYG please for once in my life!

Best possible lineup at this point.

 

[HollandGooner]

We are more then capable of getting a result here we are still a proper team who goes through a very bad patch football wise. Please guys just make us proud.

 

[blaze_of_glory]

Anything can happen. Most likely one thing happens, but something else could happen instead. And if that happens, man... anything can happen at that point.

 

[Aubamabludclat94]

I don’t think I wanna rock up to the Etihad with a lineup with 0 pace. I don’t rate our ability to control the ball or the tempo of the game over theirs, and having good movement and pace in behind when they commit numbers to attack is the only way they’ll respect us. Besides Trossard is on terrible form. I’d start Martinelli for this one for sure. Maybe if we were back to playing and controlling and pinning teams like in 2023/2024, Trossard might be better, but that’s not gonna happen with this lineup

 

[HollandGooner]

I don’t think I wanna rock up to the Etihad with a lineup with 0 pace. I don’t rate our ability to control the ball or the tempo of the game over theirs, and having good movement and pace in behind when they commit numbers to attack is the only way they’ll respect us. Besides Trossard is on terrible form. I’d start Martinelli for this one tbh

Agreed Martinelli is a must.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

I don’t think I wanna rock up to the Etihad with a lineup with 0 pace. I don’t rate our ability to control the ball or the tempo of the game over theirs, and having good movement and pace in behind when they commit numbers to attack is the only way they’ll respect us. Besides Trossard is on terrible form. I’d start Martinelli for this one tbh

If we keep it tight would rather Martinelli to hurt them in behind late.

Starting him is absolutely brutal. Like playing with 10 men regardless of pace.

If Saka makes it we’ll be able to hurt them going the other way. I wouldn’t say that Kai, Eze, Trossard are slow either.

 

[Aubamabludclat94]

If we keep it tight would rather Martinelli to hurt them in behind late.

Starting him is absolutely brutal. Like playing with 10 men regardless of pace.

If Saka makes it we’ll be able to hurt them going the other way. I wouldn’t say that Kai, Eze, Trossard are slow either.

Trossard has been brutally off-form. Like really really bad. The matchup doesn’t fit his profile imo.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

Trossard has been brutally off-form. Like really really bad. The matchup doesn’t fit his profile imo.

Was alright today I thought. Hit the post and had some ok moments.

He’s been typically good in the big games and hasn’t started the last few so would be fresher.

 

[Batman]

The title is won or lost here. If he loses this match, he can stay in Manchester. Pep's wife may even have left a few outfits that he can wear. Don't come back to London if you lose though. It's time to show you're a man and not a lovestruck fanboy.

 

[Aubamabludclat94]

Was alright today I thought. Hit the post and had some ok moments.

He’s been typically good in the big games and hasn’t started the last few so would be fresher.

Today for sure is the best I’ve seen him in months, I’ll give you that

 

[boonthegoon]

Draw would be a good result and would keep some hopes alive

 

[blaze_of_glory]

Was alright today I thought. Hit the post and had some ok moments.

He’s been typically good in the big games and hasn’t started the last few so would be fresher.

Trossard getting back to Sept-Dec form would help us a ton right now.

 

[SteveEvets]

--------------------Raya
Mosquera - Saliba - Gabriel - Hincapie
--------------------Rice
------Zubimendi --------- MLS
---------------------Eze
------------Gyokeres - Havertz

Throw everyone for a loop and try something slightly different. Can't let Bernardo and Rodri dictate things all day long in midfield. For various reasons our wide players just aren't gonna help us in any facet so leave them out. Clog the midfield a bit but at the same time we'd be able to keep the ball better, with MLS ability to absorb pressure in tight areas, and Havertz naturally drifting around finding space. Gyokeres instead of WWE with Guehi he should be running the channels, looking for an out ball from MLS or Zubi.

 

[dino bravo]

I assume nobody will be back. Captain anemia still out after being hit with a stiff breeze.

At least O’Reilly is out for the cheats I think. Fairly average player but has been in an annoying purple patch in front of goal.

 

[grange]

It’s going to be a disgusting draw fest and some late mental lapse will allow that dipshit O’Reilly to score the winning goal.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

Arteta better be on fire in that dressing room Sunday.

 

[2Smokeyy]

Will be billed up to be a great game but in reality, it’ll disappoint imo.

 

[ArsenalLunatic]

I keep getting this feeling over and over again that Noni is going to score a goal for us that will be legendary and remembered for years, his first season struggles notwithstanding.

 

[Sapient Hawk]

The title is won or lost here. If he loses this match, he can stay in Manchester. Pep's wife may even have left a few outfits that he can wear. Don't come back to London if you lose though. It's time to show you're a man and not a lovestruck fanboy.

If all else fails, he can raid Calvert-Lewin's closet.