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As we complete the final quarter of another exciting season, and two of the title contenders meet again in a potential clash that could determine their fortunes this season.
Manchester City and Arsenal have been experiencing a turmoil of emotions this season and would look to give it their best in this match. While a rejuvenated Manchester City from the loss against Barca have been excellent in their preparations, Arsenal’s past two games have contradicted their role in the title challenge.
A 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea and a 2-2 draw with Swansea suggest everything but the fact that Arsenal will go all guns blazing at the Emirates against the Citizens. Manuel Pellegrini’s forces have lived up to their expectations in the league and now that they have no other competition to distract, they are looking set for a brilliant showing against Arsenal.
While concentrating on the entire season, both the teams have been equally impressive and it would do good to select a combined side consisting of players from both the teams.
Since both teams usually line up in a 4-2-3-1 with alterations, I shall put up the combined XI with the same formation. I have considered players who are off the table due to a minor injury but not ones who are out on a long-term basis, for eg. Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey,
Goalkeeper
Joe Hart
Although he made a sloppy start to the season, the fear of being refrained to the bench after his manager dropped him for a few games has brought him back to his original form. He has been very good in front of goal and has been an able shot-stopper. The magnitude of his abilities as a shot stopper was clearly exhibited in the Champions League tie against Barcelona.
Joe Hart
Although Szecesny has a superior number of clean sheets, Hart’s rate of goals conceded is significantly low. And that gave him the edge over Szecesny. Joe Hart has conceded 9 goals less than his counterpart with two games in hand and has helped Manchester City to having the highest goal difference in the table currently.
Defenders
Bacary Sagna – Vincent Kompany – Laurent Koscielny – Kieran Gibbs
If there is one reason to praise Arsene Wenger this season, it has to be their defense. Although they have taken a penchant to conceding goals in important matches, their defensive stability and low error rate has given them a boost compared to the dearth of wingers who track back.
Although Pablo Zabaleta would have made a fair case, Sagna has been superior in stats and terms of contribution. While on the attacking front both of them are rather equal, it is on the defensive part that Zabaleta has been trailing. Although he is a very good tackler, Zabaleta tends to concede fouls rather cheaply making his team vulnerable in set-pieces.
The central defenders are Kompany and Koscielny without a doubt as they are two of the best sentre backs in the league. Kompany is one of the toughest defenders in the world and it took an extraordinary amount of effort from Lionel Messi to get past Kompany. That should speak volumes about his ability. The rock at the back for Manchester City, he is the real deal when it comes to defending.
The other, Laurent Koscielny would absolutely beat the others hands-down for this position. A Frenchman blessed with the talent to stop, he has been a stable presence at the back and could give the world’s best strikers a tough time.
Kieran Gibbs at left back is a no-brainer as he has easily been the best left back in the Premier League this season. Blessed with a flair for attacking and comprehensive pace, he has been a tough nut to crack. He has upstaged Nacho Monreal in the team and looks all set to board the flight to Brazil this summer. Given these credentials, he easily makes this team.
Central Midfielders
Fernandinho – Flamini
While the Premier League was familiar grounds for Mathieu Flamini who returned this season to Arsenal, it was an entirely different case for Fernandinho. Having arrived from Shakthar Donetsk, many were predicting he might not shine in his first year given that he lean and looked to be a far cry from the physical demands of the League.
But his performances have showed that the Brazilian midfielder might just be Manchester City’s answer to a Javi Martinez. Playing in front of the defense, he shields the defense as well as contributes to the attack occasionally chipping in with a long-range goal. The output for his hefty price tag has been more than expected and it is time, his contributions are recognized.
Flamini and Fernandinho
Averaging 3 tackles every match and two clearances with an average dribble of 1.1 per game coupled with a passing rate of 88%, he is one of the most lethal forces in the Premier League
Probably the least impressive of Arsenal’s midfielders to the eye, Flamini seems to be a destroyer of counter attacks and a sparse population of the fans believes he is of any real use. However, his arrival has had more impact than that of Ozil.
While his tackling rate is quite low compared to that of Fernandinho, its the interception rate at 1.8 and very low rate of losing possession at just 0.8 times a game that sets him apart. Added to that, he is rarely ever dribbled past and and has a pass success rate of 93% and completes 20 forward passes every game.
Having lost Alex Song to Barcelona, Arsenal were left without a defensive midfielder for a year and it was a masterclass when Wenger brought him back. He has been excellent shielding the defense and initiating attacks, and he is a vital member of the squad and it is imminent that he plays the big games.
Attacking Midfielders
David Silva – Yaya Toure – Santi Cazorla
Well, it must have gotten you thinking when I didn’t include Yaya Toure in the centre midfielders list. And that’s because he will be occupying the attacking midfield role. One of the most destructive players in the world, he is the most crucial member of the Manchester City side. With two defensively strong midfielders behind him, Yaya Toure will be unstoppable behind the striker. Having played a handful of games in that position, his goals count has been incredible from there.
David Silva and Cazorla may not be the archetype of the traditional winger, but as inverted wingers who assist the midfield they are there right up at the top. Their main strength lies in their versatility and positioning which allow them to play anywhere across the line. Being inverted wingers, they basically cut in and feed balls into the penalty area for the striker to pounce upon. The quality of their balls is exquisite and having them in the squad is a luxury for any manager.
While David Silva was a certainty with 5 goals and 8 assists from 20 appearances with an average of 3.5 key passes every time he steps on to the field, Santi Cazorla was picked from amongst Samir Nasri, Jesus Navas, Tomas Rosicky and Mesut Ozil.
Although not renown for it, Cazorla’s defensive actions pulled the trigger in favour of him. His involvement in the attack coupled with his ambidextrity means he could complement any player and Toure and Silva certainly come in as handy partners for Cazorla. Along with his penetration, his dribbling and tracking back are impressive not to miss out on his set-piece abilities. His delivery on the far post has been excellent and Arsenal are finding themselves to be a genuine threat in dead balls after a long time
Striker
Sergio Aguero
Although he is unavailable for the match, he easily is the best striker in the Premier League barring Luis Suarez. And this season has been no exception to his claim, as he has scored 15 goals in 15 appearances in the Premier League.
Sergio Aguero
He has been the heartbeat of Manchester City ever since his arrival and has managed to shake off the Maradona tag on him by earning a name for himself.
Adding to his goal tally, he has a respectable five assists to his name and the other choices being Dzeko, Negredo and Giroud, picking him was a turkey shoot.
Substitutes
Wojciech Szczesny, , Pablo Zabaleta, Per Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri, Alvaro Negredo.
