Welbeck Expected To Make Arsenal Debut Against Old Foe

Arsenal vs Manchester City Match Preview - Premier League 13.09.14

The contrast couldn't be more stark. At one end, we have a club so parsimonious that its own followers lambaste the manager for his apparent failure to spend. At the other, we encounter a club so willing to lavish fees and wages on players that UEFA had little choice but to fine them. Yes, it's Arsenal against Man City, miser against waster.

Of course, we squared off just a few weeks ago in the Community Shield, although City fielded a largely second-choice squad (such as it is when the XI still cost more than the first-choice XIs of a fair few other clubs). A 3-0 to the Arsenal earned us our second trophy in as many matches of record, but it's fair to say that City approached the match with a sneer of scorn, hardly deigning to acknowledge the match. Anyone who tries to glean any insights from the result would get just as much from studying tea-leaves or the migratory habits of unladen swallows.

However, one element from that match that might carry over to Saturday is availability. While City chose a lesser XI for the Shield, they may have no other option but to do the same this time around. Players such as Kompany, Aguero, Zabaleta, and Jovetic might not be available after suffering a variety of knocks during the interlull, but don't get your hopes up too high on that score. Only Jovetic looks to be a definite scratch. 

At our end, though, good news abounds. We've emerged from the interlull all but unscathed. Of course, Giroud and Walcott will be unavailable, but confidence abounds after the deadline-day signing of Danny Welbeck who, fresh off of scoring two goals for England against Switzerland, should make his Arsenal debut. A front-line of Cazorla, Welbeck, and Alexis should offer enough pace and movement to keep City's back-line occupied. Without casting aspersions, Sagna and Clichy will more than have their hands full and will have to be careful about how far forward they get. Of the three, Welbeck may have the most to prove as the former Manchester United starlet gets a chance to prove himself against his former and current club's nemesis.

Truth be told, though, this is a match fraught with uncertainty. Neither club has impressed much to this point, despite City's 3-1 win over Liverpool and Arsenal's clawback 2-2 draw at Everton. After all, City followed that confident win with a stunning 0-1 loss to Stoke. We of course followed the Everton draw with a 1-0 win over Besiktas only to undo whatever momentum those results generated with a dour 1-1 draw at Leicester. Still, we've done well at home to this point, winning all three (if we include the Community Shield at Wembley). Here's hoping that Saturday sees us continue our winning ways.

LAST THREE MEETINGS

• Arsenal 3-0 Man City (10.08.14)
• Arsenal 1-1 Man City (29.03.14)
• Man City 6-3 Arsenal (14.12.13)

FACTFILE

• Arsenal's overall record against City is 88 wins, 48 losses, 41 draws.
• The two clubs first met in November 1893, as Woolwich Arsenal defeated Ardwyck 1-0.
• Arsenal will likely receive £212,000 from Man City as a result of FFP violations.

INJURIES

Giroud, Walcott, and Gnabry will all miss, while Ramsey may face a late fitness test after suffering an ankle injury while playing for Wales. 

POSSIBLE STARTING XI

Szczesny; Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Debuchy; Arteta, Ramsey; Cazorla, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck.

While the Community Shield was a signal of intent, this match presents an entirely different challenge, one that I hope our lads are up to.

GOONERSPHERE'S PREDICTION

Arsenal 2-2 Man City

@woolwich_1886

Read more from Jon on http://woolwich1886.blogspot.com 

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