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[Image] Key duo return, Mustafi out, Ozil to feature? – My Arsenal line-up vs Man City

By on July 17, 2020

pierre-emerick aubameyang arsenal

Arsenal take on Manchester City in the semi-final of the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday night. Here’s the line-up I’d like Mikel Arteta to select…

The boss stuck with the back three against Liverpool and we somehow got away with a 2-1 win despite being heavily dominated, especially in the second half. I’m not a fan of a back three as it damages our attacking play but I suppose against dangerous teams like Liverpool and Man City, it makes sense otherwise we’ll be torn a new one at the back.

Kieran Tierney did a great job on the left side of the three against Liverpool and he’s a much better option than Sead Kolasinac so I’d keep him alongside David Luiz. I thought Rob Holding was excellent on Tuesday night so he fully deserves to start ahead of Shkodran Mustafi.

Cedric Soares is cup-tied to he won’t be available for Arsenal meaning Hector Bellerin will come in on the right flank while Bukayo Saka should keep his place in the left wing-back position against City.

Granit Xhaka will start in midfield and I’d go with Dani Ceballos alongside him. Lucas Torreira is still not looking 100% match fit and we need a player to at least offer something going forward in the middle of the park so I’d recall Ceballos with Torreira on the bench.

Obviously Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should come back into the side after he was rested in midweek. It was a brave call by Arteta but thankfully it worked out and Auba got a well-earned rest ahead of the City game.

mesut ozil arsenal 2018

Alexandre Lacazette has rediscovered his form in recent weeks and he deserves to keep his place up front having scored against Spurs and Liverpool. So Aubameyang can play from the left side of the Arsenal attack with Laca through the middle.

Perhaps the most contentious decision is who to start on the right-wing. Reiss Nelson may have played his way into Arteta’s plans after scoring the winner against Liverpool but I still think he’s far too raw at the minute.

Nicolas Pepe is far from the finished article himself but he has the ability to make something out of nothing and can score wonder goals. I think we’ll need a bit of that against City as we won’t see much possession and need to make things happen on the break so I’d go with Pepe on the right.

Mesut Ozil declared himself fit for the Liverpool game after recovering from his supposed back problem but he was still left out of the Arsenal squad by Arteta. It will be interesting to see if he’s recalled tomorrow but I’d personally like to see Ozil on the bench.

Matteo Guendouzi won’t be involved for obvious reasons, Gabriel Martinelli is still injured and Eddie Nketiah will serve the final game of his three-match ban so we need options on the bench and Ozil could provide some magic in the second half if needed.

Here is how I hope Arsenal line-up:

football formations