Saliba Out, Stones In: Man City vs Arsenal combined XI

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As Arsenal prepare to take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, we have picked a combined XI for both sides.

While Pep Guardiola’s men may have the edge over Mikel Arteta’s side due to their dominance in recent years, our picks will purely be based on form this season.

Man City vs Arsenal combined XI

Ramsdale pips Ederson in our Man City-Arsenal combined XI

While Aaron Ramsdale has been suspect in between the sticks in the last two games, he has largely had an excellent campaign.

Ederson has had a solid, if not spectacular campaign on the other hand, why is why the Arsenal No.1 pips the Manchester City goalkeeper in our combined XI.

Ben White is the clear winner

At the Etihad Stadium, the right-back position has seen a lot of changes, with Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji and John Stones all given a runout.

Unlike at City, Arsenal have seen Ben White conquer the role out of position throughout the season, which is why he cements his spot in our combined XI.

Stones over Saliba in our Man City-Arsenal combined XI

There is a strong argument to make for John Stones to perhaps be the best centre-back in the world on form, as he dovetails exceptionally well in his natural position, at right-back and in midfield.

While William Saliba has also been ace for Arsenal, a dip in his form after the World Cup coupled with potentially being out for the season, as hinted by the manager via the Guardian due to injury gives the Manchester City hero the berth in our combined XI.

Gabriel Magalhaes just edges it

What goes against Ruben Dias, who has been especially brilliant since returning to full fitness is his injury after the World Cup, which has meant he only has 18 Premier League starts.

While the argument can be made that Gabriel has made far few many errors in an Arsenal shirt this season, he has largely still been extremely reliable, which is why he pips the Manchester City man in our combined XI.

Zinchenko has been the best left-back in the Premier League on form

Considering Nathan Ake only really and truly entered the fold as a left-back after the World Cup, it would be unfair not to pick Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The Ukrainian’s impact in terms of how he helps the Gunners control games in his signature inverted role is second to none.

Considering Zinchenko has started for Arsenal since day one, unlike Ake for Manchester City, he does slot in our combined XI.

Rodri is the standout defensive midfielder in world football

Even before Thomas Partey’s string of errors in his side’s last three draws, as class as he has been, Rodri is simply in a league of his own.

The Spaniard is not just consistency personified but is perhaps the perfect blend of being immaculate on the ball whilst being a rock defensively.

As key as Partey has been for Arsenal, the Manchester City lynchpin would walk into any combined XI in the world.

Odegaard strolls into this side

Looking at the season as a whole, the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva have not been at their unplayable selves.

The same cannot be said for Martin Odegaard, who has been one of Europe’s most in-form midfielders this campaign, with 12 goals and seven assists in the Premier League alone.

Regardless of whether Arsenal or City win the league, Odegaard would be one of the first names in the team sheet in a combined XI based on this campaign for both sides.

The same goes for De Bruyne

While there were question marks about Kevin De Bruyne’s form this season, he has dispelled all those doubts by strengthening his claim for being the greatest midfielder in Premier League history once again.

Especially during the title run-in, as the Belgian continues to come up clutch as he sits just six assists away from breaking the record set by Thierry Henry.

Even if there was an all-time Man City-Arsenal combined XI, De Bruyne would be a part of it.

Saka & Martinelli dominate the wing duo in our Arsenal-City combined XI

The youthful pair have a shout for being the most high-flying wing duo in world football and as impactful as Jack Grealish has been since the World Cup, this twosome has been relentless since the first whistle this season.

Erling Haaland, of course

Erling Haaland has a strong shout for being the best player in the world and as well as Gabriel Jesus has played this season, the Manchester City striker stars in the combined team flanked by the Arsenal duo.

On the verge of breaking Mohamed Salah’s goal record for a single campaign against the Gunners, there are not enough superlatives in the dictionary to laud the undisputed best No.9 in the world.