Arsenal v Manchester City preview: Fernandinho misses out with hamstring strain

By Ric Turner, Thu 01 March 2018 09:47


Arsenal v Manchester City preview: Fernandinho misses out with hamstring strainBlues look to inflict further damage on Arsenal's season at The Emirates

Arsenal v Manchester City

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 7.45pm, Thursday 1st March 2018

Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

Referee: Andre Marriner Assistants: L Betts, S Bennett Fourth Official: M Dean

Odds: Arsenal 7/2, Draw 3/1, City 3/4

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Sky Sports

Arsenal

Manager: Arsene Wenger

Squad (from): Cech, Ospina, Kolasinac, Mertesacker, Mustafi, Koscielny, Holding, Chambers, Bellerin, Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Iwobi, Xhaka, Elneny, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang, Welbeck

Injured: Monreal, Lacazette, Cazorla

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: LWLWLL

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Bravo, Ederson, Muric, Danilo, Kompany, Laporte, Otamendi, Stones, Walker, De Bruyne, Foden, Gundogan, Sane, B Silva, D Silva, Sterling, Toure, Aguero, Jesus

Injured: Mendy, Fernandinho

Doubtful: Sterling

Suspended: Delph

Form guide: WDWWLW

Fernandinho misses the trip to The Emirates after suffering a hamstring strain during the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Raheem Sterling returned to training this week, but manager Pep Guardiola said he is unlikely to play this evening.

“Raheem is much, much better," Guardiola said.

"I don't know if he can play tomorrow but hopefully Chelsea or Basel [he will be ready].

The Blues require just six victories from their remaining 11 games to clinch the title, but Guardiola has warned his side against complacency as his side enter the latter stages of the season.

"We are fighting for the most important title of the season, the Premier League," he said. "More than the Champions League, FA Cup or Carabao Cup.

"We must be focused. The next six fixtures are terrible in terms of quality of opposition. Four are away.

"We think about Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United and away games at Stoke who are playing to avoid relegation. We are going to Goodison Park, where it is always tough game.

"We have tough games to play and we must be focused.

“In sport you forget what you have done -  good or bad - and focus on the next one. We think about tomorrow’s game and at the end of the season we may think how was the season.”

City's last away game at The Emirates ended in a 2-2 draw, with Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero netting for the Blues. Overall City have won 39 of the 163 games played against Arsenal, with 40 draws and 84 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Danilo, Gundogan, D Silva, De Bruyne, B Silva, Sane, Aguero

Score prediction: Arsenal 2 City 2