This is a tough one today. I said I’m going to see it as I think it on Friday, referencing the weird ‘reverse psychology’ I try to put out into the world by feeling pessimistic in hopes of some reverse karma benefiting the Arsenal, but here I am this morning still trying to impact a result I have absolutely zero impact on because of the nerves.

Man City are a good side. They are a strong side. They WILL cause us problems today. But we will do the same to them and what we Arsenal fans need to see is a continuation of the good defensive form that has seen us concede just one goal in all competitions so far. City will have Haaland at his inevitable best, they have a Doku who looks like he’s starting to find the scintillating form that he promised when he first started playing for them. They have Foden who scored last week and will have built up a bit more confidence as a result. In the middle of the park we all know Rodri’s capabilities at dictating tempo and the build up and break down of opponents attacks, whilst in between the sticks they have a ‘keeper who basically salvaged PSG in the semi final last time he was at The Emirates.

This is going to be a nervy watch.

The expectation from most seems to be Arsenal have a few more of the tools to get the edge on this game and we’re I a neutral watching it, I’d probably agree; I am of course very much not a neutral and I am therefore hoping that what everyone else is seeing and predicting goes true for us today. I think we will inevitably concede, but we have to have enough going forward to trouble a City side who are creating lots of xG, but are also conceding goals. They shipped two against the Scum, they did the same against Brighton and they are still finding their form in defensive shape I think. In their fullback positions I think they are gettable, which means we need to do our damage in Madueke’s side of the pitch, but also Arteta has to have a think about who works best on the left. Eze was hardly sparkling against Atletico, but this will be a different game. I think he’ll get more space than against the Spaniard’s, but I also think Arteta should probably give Eze the nod because he can drift in to those central positions. We probably won’t have Ødegaard there today due to injury and I suspect given it’s a big game and we want to win the duels and physical battles, it will be Merino who is preferred, hence why I think more of a play,along wide forward in Eze is a better choice than a touchline hugging, sprinty winger like Martinelli.

Of course given his goal and assist in midweek will have provided a shot of confidence for the Brazilian, Arteta might want to see if he can get more of the same from the start, so I don’t;t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility that Martinelli is preferred. He’s also up against a centre back/full back in Khusanov who I think Martinelli might enjoy a run at. City won’t sit in a compact unit and try to low block us; we’ll have them coming at us and that may mean that this game works as a ‘Martinelli match’ – green grass to run in behind on to. So whilst I still think Eze is the best choice, I won’t be too surprised or annoyed if it’s Martinelli to start.

A lot of the rest of the team does, I think, pick itself. Raya in goal, Timber at right back as White isn’t fully fit yet, Gabriel and Calafiori will get the nod, so the question will only remain with Saliba. I think he’ll be fit and I think he’ll start, despite the form and good performances of Mosquera.

In midfield it will be Zubi and Rice and as I’ve mentioned I don’t think Ødegaard will be fit so I suspect he’ll go with Merino. Gyokeres will start up top. I am hoping that Big Vik gets on the scoresheet. He’s going to have another physical battle as I think John Stones is fit and will start alongside Dias, with Gvardiol shifting to left back, but he’s been accused of being a flat-track bully by only scoring against smaller teams. This dates back to what people have been saying about him when it comes to his time in Portugal, so if he can get on the scoresheet today, I think that just gives another middle finger to the doubters in the media.

And that’s the side that has to collect three points today. This is by no means a forgone conclusion but we need to see an Arsenal side who is quick off the block at home. Home games always feel like in tennis when you have to ‘hold serve’ on your own serving game. That’s kind of what it feels like to me today. We have to hold serve by beating one of our title rivals. Let’s hope the team is up for it.

Catch you all tomorrow.