Manchester City host Arsenal in a nail-biting fixture at Etihad Stadium where the winner probably books a Champions League place in next season.
Arsenal’s two-goal triumph at Manchester City Stadium on In the previous season not just gave the Gunners an away win against one of their principle adversaries; it also demonstrated that Arsene Wenger could discard his routine playing system for a more viable method.
Arsenal shocked pundits by dropping back and shielding their goal while consistently debilitating on the counterattack. It was flawless regarding how Arsenal needed to approach the defining match.
When Arsenal take a trip to Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Wenger will need to choose whether to utilise the same cautious strategies with a specific target to secure third place in the EPL or go straight for a win and catch Spurs’ tail.
Following are four things Wenger can repeat in the upcoming match versus Manchester City.
Premier League is not about possession anymore
Arsenal face a troublesome battle of turning the huge amount of touches and possession into goals. Interestingly the Gunners just had 35 percent possession at Etihad which earned them their most incredible game this season. That example has been repeated a couple of times afterwards. In the clash against Bayern in October, Gunners had 27 percent possession. In their victories at Emirates against both Manchester clubs, this season Wenger’s men had just 37 percent of possession. Subsequently, in draws against the Saints, Sunderland and Crystal Palace, Arsenal enjoyed about 70 percent of possession.
If Wenger wants, he can replicate Mourinho
Wenger has frequently proclaimed his contempt for teams that set up a conventional system just to protect the goal, a comment that occasionally was addressed to Jose Mourinho. However, Arsenal demonstrated at City that he could ace those strategies pretty much. In spite of his prosperity, Wenger still appears to be resolved just to convey counterattack plan when he totally needs to.
Cazorla the rescuer
Santi Cazorla’s execution at Manchester City was maybe his finest performance in the Arsenal shirt. The Spaniard was all around, shielding vivaciously and helping Arsenal find their way in opponent’s half with his snappy feet.
Cazorla was involved in both goal; first, he converted a penalty and afterwards he had an assist by launching an inch-perfect free-kick that Oliver Giroud lashed into the woodwork. Cazorla has distressfully missed most of the games this season following his knee injury in November but now he is accessible again. The trouble is whether Wenger will toss him into the lineup in such a crucial fixture right away.
Counterattack might be the best weapon
Wenger rotates his squad a lot that can be the reason of their unsuccessful campaign. Arsenal are dangerous on counter-attack because of their fast movement, precise passes and speedy wingers. Against City, Wenger’s players created chances from counterattacking.
