Blessed with riches, Roberto Mancini has to get Manchester City’s team selection right for the must-win game on Sunday.
The match against Arsenal is one of the few times this season City have had all four frontmen available, and there has been no cut and dry first choice pick. Here is a look at his four options and why he should plump for each striker.
Should he pick Balotelli?
For all his histrionics and off-field shenanigans, Balotelli has been City’s most consistent striker in 2012. Even in their 3-3 draw at Sunderland, Balotelli was still able to net twice. In their 1-1 draw with Stoke he also looked most likely of the strikers, and will relish playing in such a big game. Mancini may say he does not trust him, but his actions speak differently, starting him last weekend and allowing him to take a penalty. He proved in the 6-1 win at Manchester United that he can be influential in away games against the big teams, scoring twice when the match was evenly poised. You would not bet against the man who fills acres of newspaper column inches continuing to hog the spotlight.
Should he pick Aguero?
Aguero is City’s most expensive striker, and the man Mancini bought to win them the league last summer. Now they are in a must-win situation, he must not deviate from his plan. Aguero is a player with the x-factor, and can produce a goal out of nothing. He scored a winner at the Emirates in the Carling Cup earlier in the season, which will have gone some way to persuading Mancini he can be the match winner. He also kept Arsenal’s defence extremely busy at the Etihad, with his pace and clever movement and was unlucky not to score, but played an important role in David Silva’s winner. After missing recent matches with a ‘stupid’ foot injury which amounted to blisters and boils, he has declared himself fit and ready to play. He will play some part, the question is whether it is from the start or the bench.
Should he pick Tevez?
Carlos Tevez is the joker in Mancini’s pack, recalled from his self-imposed exile after a row with Mancini earlier in the season. He has proved numerous times over the years for City, United and West Ham that he can be relied upon to produce the goods when it really matters. The Guardian had reported yesterday that he was in line to start, but this was before Sergio Aguero declared himself fit, which has clouded the situation somewhat. If he does start it will be a remarkable show of faith from his manager, and the controversial striker will be keen to repay him. He will have been working hard all week to prove his fitness and show why he deserves a start. Surely it is written in the script that he will have an important role to play in the title race, and this could be his moment. Mancini will hope his decision to bring him back pays off and it is not one huge distraction.
Should he pick Dzeko?
Bosnian Dzeko will be wondering just how he began the season as first choice striker and could finish it in fourth, despite scoring 18 club goals. He has not scored in the league for over a month, although he did set one up last weekend against Sunderland. Away to Stoke he was especially disappointing, missing a sitter from yards out that he really at least should have headed on target. He will point to his four goal blitz against Arsenal’s rivals Tottenham as to what he can do when City get their delivery right and he is on his game, but Mancini may find Tevez or Aguero’s trickery perplexes Thomas Vermaelen in the Gunner’s defence more than a physical duel with Dzeko.
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