3 steps to success for Arsenal against Manchester City

#2 Track the opposition fullbacks

Ozil needs to track back against Manchester City

A major portion of the game would be played out on the flanks. Arsenal need to keep the opposition’s wide men at bay if they are to emerge victorious.

Manchester City are expected to start with Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy as fullbacks. Both of them have the pace to burn and are attacking fullbacks by nature. With the fullbacks stretching the game, City’s midfield gets more space in the middle of the park.

Arsenal would most likely line up in a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-1-4-1 with two of Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan and Ozil occupying the wings. Over the course of the last decade, Arsenal have had problems in defending the wider areas of the pitch and that is mainly due to their wingers’ non-inclination to track back.

Against City, each of their wingers has to put in a shift and not let the opposition fullbacks go on their frequent adventures forward. Though Ozil and Mkhitaryan’s defensive work rate has often left a lot to be desired, Arsenal can’t afford them to switch off for even a single moment.

A major factor in determining the outcome of the game would be how Arsenal are able to contain City’s marauding full backs. If they are able to stave off their attacking threat and exploit the space they leave behind, they could well be on their way to an opening weekend win.