The How Will They Line Up guys give their unique perspective on Monday’s clash between Arsenal and Manchester City. In total, 38 American players have played in the English top flight since 1992, whilst Manchester United, Arsenal and other Premier League sides have attracted significant investment and sponsorship from across the Atlantic. Arsenal sit second in the table, five points behind leaders Leicester City and a point above third placed Manchester City.
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Gunners boss Arsene Wenger regrets not acquiring the electric young player, but he didn’t reference this past transfer window.
“It should be a really good game and we are looking forward to it”.
“It is a massive game”. If you look at the numbers since the start of the season, offensively and defensively, [they] are very close.
Manchester City could have striker Sergio Aguero available after the Argentine returned to full training following a heel injury. Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Danny Welbeck, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla are all definitely out, while Alexis Sanchez remains doubtful and will likely be a substitute at best. Should Sanchez play, his shifty moves could turn Mangala’s legs to spaghetti and leave City exposed.
Aguero is fit for Man City and will play a part, but they are still unable to call upon Kompany as well as Fernando and Pablo Zabaleta. He has picked up a goal or an assist in his last six home games and will expect to make that seven by the end of Monday night.
Injuries have held them back somewhat, but there is a new edge to their attack, and topping their Champions League group for the first time in five attempts has perhaps already justified the outlay.
However, manager Manuel Pellegrini rejected the notion that another setback against Arsenal would be fatal.
But in spite of perceived pressures, Pellegrini said: “It’s not a decisive game as after this we have to play 21 games more”.
I will be fearless and say that if we hadn’t suffered our usual lengthy injury list we would definitely be on top of the table right now, but every team has a glitch every season and hopefully we will have got ours over and done with. The Sky Blues lost to Stoke only a few weeks ago, and were only able to salvage three points against Swansea City last weekend thanks to a lucky stoppage time goal from Yaya Toure.
“It’s impossible just to think there are two teams involved in the title race”.
“It’s a good target to return to clean sheets and to advance in positions”.
Arsenal have thrown away three more chances (19) considered “clear cut” by the statisticians at Opta than City (16). These teams are the two favorites for the title and only one point now separates them. “It was not enough, but it was the first step, which was certainly vital to strengthen the belief of our team”.
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“I can never say I will return – I have lovely memories of home, but I’m with Arsenal until at least 2018”, he said.
