Manchester City: Drop Milner, Play Two Up Front And Exploit The Wings Against Arsenal

Manchester City host table-toppers Arsenal in Saturday’s early kick off as the Etihad side look to stretch their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions. They come into the clash having beaten Bayern Munich in the Champions League and having a tremendous home record, but it won’t be an easy game, naturally, so here are a few pointers for Manuel Pellegrini, should he be reading.

Although he had a good game in Germany against the Bundesliga champions, the first thing I would do would be to drop James Milner. The way City play free-flowing football at home is incredible to watch but he doesn’t fit into that and is at his best when playing in away games.

Dropping the former Aston Villa man would open space for the more creative players such as David Silva, Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas.

The second thing that I would do is to play two up top in the shape of Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo. The two have formed a telepathic partnership and have scored 18 league goals between them so far this season. Their pace, movement and nimble dexterity would surely prove difficult for Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker to handle.

Lastly, looking at Arsenal’s weaknesses, I would concentrate my attacks down the flanks, especially the left where Arsenal right-back Carl Jenkinson will be deployed. Although he is usually a sturdy defender, his displays have looked sluggish of late and City have the players to give him the run about.