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!

 

[Red London]

With Saka...I'm almost at the point where we just have to risk him. Jab the guy up, do what it takes.

It seems like we’ve been doing this already why stop now

 

[El Duderino]

Btw, don't think City will batter us, at all.

If anything, if they go ahead, they'll likely just control the game.

Tross/Gyok/Nelli frontline with Havertz at 10 is just not creating or converting much. Even if we add a barely fit Saka there, it won't change things.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

With Saka...I'm almost at the point where we just have to risk him. Jab the guy up, do what it takes.

I could live with him playing 5 games down the stretch.

Sunday, Atletico home and away, potentially the final and Newcastle at home.

Anything else you rely on the others.

 

[El Duderino]

Only way I see us getting a win is if he tries to be a bit bolder, as going there looking for a tie will be early doors.

4-4-2 of sorts with Gyok playing off of Kai and Eze on the left.

Go route one and pray. Not like we can pass or control much of the ball.

 

[El Duderino]

I could live with him playing 5 games down the stretch.

Sunday, Atletico home and away, potentially the final and Newcastle at home.

Anything else you rely on the others.

Think that's fair, the key here would be having an actual overlap on him.

With his fitness and loss of pace, making him hug the touchline so that Mosqueira/Timber invert just makes things worse.

 

[HighburyHigh]

All I can see is City smashing us. They’ll want it more, we’ll cack our knickers. 4-0 City.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

Only way I see us getting a win is if he tries to be a bit bolder, as going there looking for a tie will be early doors.

4-4-2 of sorts with Gyok playing off of Kai and Eze on the left.

Go route one and pray. Not like we can pass or control much of the ball.

They’ll play all around us with that formation because it’s a carbon copy of the League Cup final.

Has to be brave and start Havertz up top. We looked far more in control last night when he played up there.

If we’re going without the ball he’s going to be key in holding it up.

 

[A_G]

They just beat us 2-0. And outclassed us

PL is different because no Kepa

 

[Rasmi]

PL is different because no Kepa

3-0 last 20 minutes being played out like a testimonial

 

[boonthegoon]

View attachment 45479

Some perspective…

Yes but should include the carabao final as well as it was a high stakes game

 

[A_G]

Yes but should include the carabao final as well as it was a high stakes game

Kepa tax

 

[Rex Caudillo]

Kepa tax

No Eze either.

 

[outlawz]

It seems like we’ve been doing this already why stop now

Even if it's in this state - so be it.

 

[outlawz]

They’ll play all around us with that formation because it’s a carbon copy of the League Cup final.

Has to be brave and start Havertz up top. We looked far more in control last night when he played up there.

If we’re going without the ball he’s going to be key in holding it up.

We started to play so much better once Dowman, Havertz and Trossard came on. The ball actually stayed in the opponents half for more than 2 seconds.

 

[outlawz]

A draw is fine considering City still have to go to Bournemouth and Everton.

View attachment 45479

Some perspective…

Defeat incoming - thanks @A_G

 

[NieThePiet]

Listen:

Give the ball to Raya, they won't press our goalie for 90 minutes like in the final and we are taking the 0:0. Just need to be sure that we won't concede from their kick-off.

= Profit.

 

[A_G]

Defeat incoming - thanks @A_G

I am on fire

 

[goonerfamily]

Think City win handily. Especially with our absences, no chance Saka, Timber, Ødegaard or Calafiori back for this one. 3-1

 

[GDeep™]

City will be nervous themselves. Don’t be shocked if we score first.

 

[gunman90]

Only way I see us getting a win is if he tries to be a bit bolder, as going there looking for a tie will be early doors.

4-4-2 of sorts with Gyok playing off of Kai and Eze on the left.

Go route one and pray. Not like we can pass or control much of the ball.

We have already been playing 4-4-2 whenever Haverts and Gyokeres start together. Playing that formation would allow City to totally dominate the ball and overrun us like they did in the Carabao final. We need to play one of either Havertz or Gyokeres.
I would probably start Havertz with Eze behind and Martinelli on the left with Dowman on the right. City are very beatable and their recent scorelines have been flattering them.