Arsenal Vs Manchester City
Date: 25/2/2018
Venue: Wembley
Time: 4:30 pm (BST)
10:00 pm (IST)
The first major English cup competition for the 2017/18 season is set to take center stage at Wembley this Sunday, as Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Manchester City go head-to-head.
Arsenal suffered back-to-back defeats; first in the league against rivals Tottenham and recently at home against Ostersund in the Europa League.
Man City, the potential PL winners have also blown up the chance of a quadruple after getting knocked out by Wigan.
The pair once again locks horns in 4 days time in their PL fixture.
Arsenal:
With most of their first-team players rested midweek, Arsenal is expected to have Mesut Ozil back to start the final.
However, Aaron Ramsey will have to pass a late fitness test but at the most will make the bench.
Alexandre Lacazette and Santi Cazorla are long-term absentees, with new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan cup-tied after featuring for former club Man United in the competition this season.
Petr Cech will be expected to begin in goal for the first time in the Carabao Cup this season ahead of regular keeper Davide Ospina.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is Arsenal's go-to man to get a goal in the game. His recent game at Wembley was a defeat against Tottenham.
Manchester City:
The PL leaders have been dealt a major blow with Raheem Sterling a major doubt to feature.
Manager Pep Guardiola will assess whether or not he would make it in the 18-man squad.
Another major absentee is at left-fullback, where the first choice Benjamin Mendy is a long-term casualty and Fabian Delph is suspended after picking up a red card in their FA Cup game.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to fill in at left fullback or the manager could make a big surprise by playing Aymeric Laporte in that role.
Gabriel Jesus will be expected to feature in the squad for the first time in 4 months and maybe the difference maker if he comes on as a substitute and plays alongside Sergio Aguero in a 3-4-1-2.
Arsenal suffered back-to-back defeats; first in the league against rivals Tottenham and recently at home against Ostersund in the Europa League.
Man City, the potential PL winners have also blown up the chance of a quadruple after getting knocked out by Wigan.
The pair once again locks horns in 4 days time in their PL fixture.
Team News:
Arsenal:
With most of their first-team players rested midweek, Arsenal is expected to have Mesut Ozil back to start the final.
However, Aaron Ramsey will have to pass a late fitness test but at the most will make the bench.
Alexandre Lacazette and Santi Cazorla are long-term absentees, with new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan cup-tied after featuring for former club Man United in the competition this season.
Petr Cech will be expected to begin in goal for the first time in the Carabao Cup this season ahead of regular keeper Davide Ospina.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is Arsenal's go-to man to get a goal in the game. His recent game at Wembley was a defeat against Tottenham.
Manchester City:
The PL leaders have been dealt a major blow with Raheem Sterling a major doubt to feature.
Manager Pep Guardiola will assess whether or not he would make it in the 18-man squad.
Another major absentee is at left-fullback, where the first choice Benjamin Mendy is a long-term casualty and Fabian Delph is suspended after picking up a red card in their FA Cup game.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to fill in at left fullback or the manager could make a big surprise by playing Aymeric Laporte in that role.
Gabriel Jesus will be expected to feature in the squad for the first time in 4 months and maybe the difference maker if he comes on as a substitute and plays alongside Sergio Aguero in a 3-4-1-2.
Key Strategies to Victory:
Arsenal:
Defense needs to be Arsenal's best form of attack. Their playing XI needs to put in their best performance of the season and not concede the first goal in the game.
Majority of Arsenal's attacking players who they could have recalled for this fixture have either been sold or are injured. Conceding the first goal of the game would hand momentum in the hands of City.
Their best bet is exploiting City's left side. The absence of a recognized left-footed fullback is where Arsenal can find spaces and crosses into the box and find the first goal of the game.
**Not conceding the game's first goal, but scoring the game's first goal is the essential point that Arsenal needs to follow.**
Manchester City:
Gutted with the possible absentee of an-injured Raheem Sterling, City still comes into this game as favorites to win it. They have to keep the ball moving around, especially in central midfield and give their wingers freedom to make runs and attack Arsenal's defense.
Gabriel Jesus who could be likely to be introduced in City's 18-man squad could be the biggest wildcard that Pep Guardiola has on Sunday. He could make a direct switch by bringing on Jesus to play alongside Aguero in a 3-4-1-2 formation.
If City does concede the first goal, they would be the favorites to try and find a way to get back in it. But, if they are looking to score first, that crucial first goal needs to come in the first hour itself.
**Avoid pushing the game into extra-time, do not concede any late goals like in the FA Cup and above all, do not grant Arsenal maximum possession in the game.**
Predicted Line-ups
Prediction
Arsenal FC (1-2) Manchester City
(a.e.t)
The team who gets the first goal on the night would be the ones who go on to win it at the end. Both teams are evenly matched on paper with respect to everyone who is fit.
If Arsenal does concede the first goal, it will be very difficult for them to find a way back. But if Arsenal is the team who are longing for that trophy, they need to put in their best defensive performance of the season.
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