Mikel Arteta has made five changes to the Arsenal side that started the 1-1 draw against Benfica in the Europa League ahead of today’s mammoth Premier League encounter against Manchester City.
There are three changes in defence, with the centre-back pairing completely rotated as Pablo Mari partners Rob Holding against his former club, whilst Kieran Tierney returns in place of Cedric Soares.
Arteta has opted for a more defensive approach against his clinical former employers in central midfield, with Mohamed Elneny coming in for Dani Ceballos in the middle of the park.
The attacking ranks see just one change, though it’s a somewhat surprising one at that, as standout starlet Emile Smith Rowe is benched for club-record signing Nicolas Pepe.
Whilst Smith Rowe’s performances have been amazing since he broke into the side on Boxing Day for the shock win against Chelsea that turned the season, Pepe perhaps offer more of a counter threat.
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Take a look at the Gunners’ lineup below:
? Today’s team news is in!
??????? @KieranTierney1 starts
??????? @RobHolding95 returns
?? @PabloMV5 will partner him#?? #ARSMCI
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 21, 2021
Here’s how some of the Arsenal faithful have reacted to Arteta’s teamsheet:
Starting Elneny against Man City is a sackable offence!
— Winter_Goonerette? (@XhakaWinter) February 21, 2021
The line up isn’t bad ngl. Just Elneny
— William (@AFCWilliam_) February 21, 2021
don’t understand how ceballos has been dropped
— Lawesy?? (@AFCLawesy) February 21, 2021
Tierney back starting. Holding Mari did well when playing together. Elneny showing KdB and Gundogan levels. We can do this! Let’s go gunners!
— AfcVIP?? (@VipArsenal) February 21, 2021
Good luck to us. We will need it.
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) February 21, 2021
Arteta definitely has his favourites. Cedric dropped even though he’s our most in form RB. Auba starts again after a shocking game on Thursday but Lacazette who been in form gets took out the team for the 3rd straight game. #ARSMCI #Arsenal
— Mr Mute (@MrMute25) February 21, 2021
no thats quite good defensively however we will get smacked
— Hydra (@HasanMu11527387) February 21, 2021
good. Mari > Gabriel atm. he has better coordination and chemistry with Holding
— Dan (@afcdaniel_san) February 21, 2021
Elneny starting which shows that we giving City wayy to much respect
— William (@AFCWilliam_) February 21, 2021
Elneny still in our midfield in 2021, this is why we won’t progress
— Yolanda (@Yolanda__Smith) February 21, 2021
ESR needed a break he’s looked tired
— OrganisedMessFC (@BrutallyGooner) February 21, 2021
before u have a heart attack about the lineup remember Thursday is the priority
— OnlyPain (@afcKZ_) February 21, 2021
Arsenal fans will be delighted to see that their second Real Madrid loanee in Martin Odegaard has been handed his third successive start, with the Norwegian now starting to settle into the team.
Arteta shouldn’t be criticised for making some defensive-minded changes to the side, considering that Pep Guardiola’s side are on a run of 17 straight wins, they’ve been absolutely clinical in attack.
Some of the criticism towards the Elneny selection is understandable but harsh, it’s worth remembering that some of the lineup decisions will have been made with the second-leg against Benfica in mind.