Arsenal take on Manchester City in Sunday’s much-awaited Premier League game at the Etihad Stadium.
The Gunners are currently six points ahead of the Cityzens at the top of the table, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.
Arsenal need to avoid a defeat against Man City tomorrow, or the Cityzens would have their title destiny in their hands as well.
If the Gunners lose, it could come to goal difference if both teams win their remaining matches.
Ahead of the encounter, manager Mikel Arteta could make three big changes from the goalless draw against Sporting CP in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
Jurrien Timber returns
Jurrien Timber was spotted in training in the lead-up to the Carabao Cup final last month, but was not deemed fit to make the matchday squad.
It was anticipated that he would return to training after the international break, but there have been no positive signs on the right-back thus far.
Still, we are hoping for a surprise selection on Sunday. Manager Mikel Arteta did not rule out the right-back’s return and said that he will be assessed in today’s final training session.
If he is deemed fit, it would be a no-brainer to start him ahead of Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White. The £34 million signing has his better defensive qualities in one-on-one situations.
Kai Havertz leads the line
Viktor Gyokeres was disappointing in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against his former club. The Sweden international was replaced before the hour mark with Kai Havertz on Wednesday night, and we anticipate the German to play as a number nine against Man City.
Havertz struggled with his playmaking in an attacking midfield role against the Cityzens in the League Cup final, but he offers something different upfront with better hold-up and link-up play than Gyokeres. He also has the knack of dropping into midfield, which may be required to limit Man City’s creativity.
Leandro Trossard starts
Noni Madueke sustained a fresh knock to his knee against Sporting CP in midweek. He was spotted limping after the game, but Arteta said the winger looked ‘quite positive‘. The Englishman will be assessed in today’s session.
Irrespective of his fitness, we anticipate Leandro Trossard to be reinstated into the XI. Gabriel Martinelli has been ineffective starting from the left wing in the last two matches and there could be a straight swap in the position tomorrow.