da realsbet： It’s Arsenal, it’s a big game and it’s Pep Guardiola. Everything is pointing in favour of an emphatic Manchester City victory at the Emirates Stadium this weekend, with the Gunners enduring a hefty second half of the season slump that could leave them in the embarrassing position of failing to make the top four for the first time since 1872.
da 888casino： Arsene Wenger is refusing to reveal his hand on his future, too. Uncertainty around the Frenchman’s future at the helm paired with some odd quotes from Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil leave Arsenal in an arguably worse position after the fortnight of international football than they were previously.
Being a Gunners fan must be hideous at the moment and it’s hard to see that getting much better against a Manchester City side that are building foundations for a strong 2017/18 campaign. So many of Arsenal’s ‘best’ players have underperformed of late, but these are the THREE who need to turn it around most urgently.
Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka’s time at the Emirates could still turn out to be a successful one and I maintain that he was the right signing. The former Borussia Monchengladbach man has, however, got to learn to be calmer when trying to win the ball and must be played in a midfield set-up where he is left exposed infrequently.
Should he continue to be isolated in transition, Arsenal will be torn apart by this Manchester City attack. Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva will operate around Xhaka, so he cannot rush into rash challenges or be pulled out of position as both the Belgian and the Spaniard have the quality to take advantage swiftly.
Alexis Sanchez
Aside from nonsense about distance covered numbers, Alexis Sanchez has clearly dropped off in his performance levels of late.
The Chilean has been one of Europe’s best for much of the season, but, despite still being Arsenal’s most important player, he has not reached such dizzy heights recently. His form will fluctuate – as anyone’s does – but Arsene Wenger needs his talismanic forward at his best this weekend if Arsenal are to stand a chance.
On the other hand, a stellar performance here could further Pep Guardiola’s potential desires to take Alexis to the Etihad.
Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey is a player with immense potential, but the Welshman has not produced on a regular basis for Arsenal. His Wales form from last summer would make him one of the league’s most important players, however, and the Gunners could sure do with some of that to challenge Manchester City’s still uncertain defence.
Arsene Wenger will be wondering what it takes to bring the best out of Ramsey. The truth is, he needs to be given more freedom to roam in the final third and it’s hard to see him being afforded that by ‘Le Prof’ at this juncture.