As Man City prepare to go toe-to-toe against Arsenal in the FA Cup 4th Round, it is next to impossible to call Pep Guardiola’s predicted lineup for the upcoming clash.
However, with things going from bad to worse after the return of club football, Guardiola would perhaps field his strongest possible XI to gain a psychological edge over Mikel Arteta’s side.
Keeping that in mind, we expect the Spaniard to make just 1 change from the side that beat Wolves 3-0.
Man City predicted lineup vs Arsenal
Considering Guardiola billed the game as a ‘final’ in his pre-match press conference (via MEN), Ederson could retain his place in the Man City predicted lineup against Arsenal, instead of Stefan Ortega getting a start.
At right-back, we also expect the in-form Rico Lewis to keep his place in the side ahead of Kyle Walker, despite potentially coming up against one of the Premier League’s most feared wingers in Gabriel Martinelli.
At centre-back, we expect John Stones to be partnered by Aymeric Laporte, instead of Manuel Akanji.
However, the change could come in at left-back, with Nathan Ake replacing Manuel Akanji in a role he has occupied several times post-World Cup, as per our Man City predicted lineup against Arsenal. And Guardiola is certainly impressed with the 27-year-old in the position, describing his in-game actions as ‘clever’ (via the club website).
Rodri remains one of, if not the first name on the team sheet.
In front of him, we expect the creative midfield pair of Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne to keep their places, after stepping up to the plate respectively against Wolves.
At right wing, arguably his side’s most in-form player since the restart in Riyad Mahrez is a no-brainer in our Man City predicted lineup against Arsenal.
Up front is inarguably the first name on the City team sheet in the one and only, Erling Haaland, who starred against Julen Lopetegui’s side with his 4th hat-trick in his debut season in the Premier Leagie.
The front 3 keep their places, as Jack Grealish is also expected to make the cut in the Man City predicted lineup against Arsenal.
Man City predicted lineup vs Arsenal: Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Laporte, Ake, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.
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