EFL Cup- Arsenal v Manchester City- Team news and predicted line-up
Arsenal host Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Tuesday as a place in the semi-finals of the competition is at stake.
Both sides have contrasting form, with Arsenal winless in their last seven games while Pep Guardiola and his City side are on a roll and are unbeaten in their last eight games. Seven of which have been clean sheets and they have only conceded once.
City’s 1-0 win over Southampton was the fourth time in a row that they have kept a clean sheet away from home and out of their last 13 matches in all competitions, City has only lost once.
Team news
Arsenal
The struggling Gunners will again be without captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang who is out with a calf injury and could potentially not return until the new year in what is yet another blow for Mikel Arteta.
Thomas Partey is still out while Granit Xhaka is serving the last of his three-game ban after his red card against Burnley while defender Gabriel is available after missing Arsenal’s loss to Everton due to suspension.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s side could be without forward Gabriel Jesus who continues to have trouble with his teeth, while both Eric Garcia and Aymeric Laporte are doubtful for the trip to the Emirates.
After being rested against Southampton at the weekend, Sergio Aguero, Phil Foden, Nathan Ake, Benjamin Mendy, Riyad Mahrez, and Fernandinho will all be looking at featuring in some capacity.
Arsenal is currently on their worst run in recent memory and you will be hard-pressed to find anyone who thinks anything other than a City win will be the outcome. The Gunners simply cannot buy a win and coming up against a rampant Manchester City side is less than ideal.
The Gunners this season have found joy in their cup competitions with wins over Leicester City and Liverpool away in the EFL Cup and winning all six of their Europa League matches however many expect that run to come to an end when City come to town.
Everything points to a Manchester City win to heap further misery and pressure on Mikel Arteta who desperately needs a win.
Expect goals in this one, however not from the home side as City roll onto the Semi-Finals and plunge Arsenal further into chaos.
Predicted XI: Leno, Bellerin, Gabriel, Luiz, Kolasinac, Ceballos, Elneny, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Lacazette, Saka.
Predicted score- Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City
