Predicted Arsenal lineup to face Manchester City with all eyes on Tomiyasu

The Premier League returns to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday as Arsenal take on their Premier League title rivals Manchester City and this is a game that they will have to win. Arteta is likely to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation to face the Citizens, which has been his favoured formation this season.

PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP TO FACE MANCHESTER CITY

Ramsdale, Zinchenko, Gabriel, Saliba, Tomiyasu, Xhaka, Partey, Trossard, Odegaard, Saka, Nketiah

In goal, Aaron Ramsdale will take the starting role, flanked by a back four consisting of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

All eyes will be on Takehiro Tomiyasu because Mikel Arteta will have started him in this game ahead of Ben White who has been the regular starter.The Japanese international will be needed for this game as playing against Manchester City forwards is a big problem for most defenders in the league but everyone knows how Tomiyasu is very disciplined, fast and strong hence making him the perfect choice for this type of opponent.

In midfield, Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are expected to partner up in the double pivot. Leandro Trossard should start on the left wing with Martin Odegaard playing just behind lone centre-forward Eddie Nketiah. On the right wing, Bukayo Saka could start there as he has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season.

It’s an interesting time for Arsenal who could find themselves slipping out of first place if City can claim all three points on Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium. While Arteta’s side have been impressive this season, they’ll need to focus on scoring goals if they are to remain top of the league.

Their defence has looked strong so far but against City it will need to be even better than normal if they are to contain Guardiola’s men. It will be a difficult task for The Gunners but it isn’t impossible for them to win and that is exactly what Arteta will be hoping for on Wednesday night – his first win against Pep Guardiola after many attempts already failed.