How Arsenal could lineup to face Manchester City in restart

CM: Granit Xhaka

The Swiss international is always important to the Gunners, especially in games like this. Granit Xhaka is excellent at dictating play in the middle of the pitch and I’m certain that many of Arsenal’s passing movements against City will run through him.

While he is no longer a captain, Xhaka is also very vocal which will come as a great benefit to Mikel Arteta. He will scrutinise his teammates and be quick to remind them to get back into position which is always important. You don’t have to wear an armband to be a leader, after all.

CM: Lucas Torreira

With all the speculation going on at the moment, I don’t think this will sway Arteta’s decision to start Lucas Torreira. After all, the Xhaka-Torreira pivot has been the Spaniard’s go-to midfield of choice this season.

Torreira will arguably be Arsenal’s most important player. Manchester City possesses a packed midfield which is full to the brim with talent. If anyone is capable of dealing with this threat and winning back possession, it’s Torreira.

CAM: Dani Ceballos

Dani Ceballos is comitted to playing with Arsenal for the remainder of the season, even if its likely he will be returning to Real Madrid afterwards. Ceballos divides opinion among the Arsenal faithful but nobody can criticise his work ethic. He is constantly working hard in training and trying to impress the boss regardless of circumstance, and in all honesty, many players could learn from him despite being a loanee.

Ceballos will start in this match, as I could feel Arteta’s patience with Mesut Ozil drawing to a very thin line towards the break.