Man City goes on the attack

By: j | November 21st, 2008

Arsenal comes to Eastlands Saturday afternoon in a match that promises to be highly attacking in nature as both clubs are desperately in need of points. The promise of Man City’s future burns bright but with only a single point separating them and relegation, its time to pick up the pace. Arsenal on its own end has stumbled its way down the table, with only a single victory after the 4-4 debacle against Tottenham. Last weeks 2-0 loss Aston Villa in a painfully bad display in-front of their loyal fans. And while Arsene Wenger will be ready to attack with both guns blazing, with the loss of Theo Walcott in international duty, their attack will not to be any easier.

On the injury-front Man City are without Joe Hart but Kasper Schmeichel is not only a capable replacement but ready to be a number one at this level. Captain Richard Dunne returns from suspension along with Danny Sturridge from injury but Dietmar Hamann and Gelson Fernandes are questionable.

Arsenal face a much more troubling situation with William Gallas deciding to air locker room issues in public and rightfully being stripped of his captaincy. Beyond the opera they are without Cesc Fabregas who is in the sin-bin, with Emmanuel Eboue and Theo Walcott out along with Kolo Touré who is doubtful. Couple in a selection of players on international duty, the Gunners are far from one-hundred per-cent and their likely isn’t a better time to pick-up three points on them.

Prior to the match Mark Hughes commented:

“We look at their strengths and weaknesses and look for areas we can exploit. At the same time we will concentrate on making sure we don’t make the kind of mistakes that we have made in recent matches that have cost us goals”

“That is what you have to disturb. We have to make sure we do not let them get into their stride by imposing our own game on them.

“In many ways we play a similar style and both teams have shown this season that while it gets you results it can at times also leave you exposed.

“At the moment we have not many defensive minded players. There is no point asking the majority of those in my squad to play a pressing game because they would not be very adept at it.

“It makes more sense to give them licence to express themselves particularly in the final third. But we have to be mindful to be more resolute going the other way.

“Tomorrow’s game should be a great spectacle. Both teams have an abundance of attacking players and sometimes it is just best to rely on what you are good at. Although we need to be defensively tighter there are moments when attacking wise we are as good as anybody.

With these comments it is very easy to see that we can expect Man City to come out with a very fast-paced agenda and attack the suspect Arsenal defense.

I will report on the match as it concludes however I wish to mention I will be handing off much of the blogging responsibilities of Man City shortly. I will stop by from time to time but thank for your time and support of this blog.