I am a frustrated that we are facing City at this time. After the 6-3 defeat at City I was convinced that we would get our own back when we brought them back to Ashburton Grove. Granted I foolishly expected Walcott, Özil, Ramsey and co to be lining up against them.

When your squad is looking tired, short of confidence and fresh players I guess the last thing you want to see is Manchester City coming towards you but that is how the cookie crumbles this afternoon. We have to roll with the punches. I agree with Arsene that the attitude of the Arsenal players was spot on against Swansea, there was no sign of complacency but our confidence looks low, especially in the final third where confidence plays a big part in spontaneity.

Manchester City went to Old Trafford and wiped the floor with the champions so it is no surprise that they are favourites to take all three points today. But that is a good thing at least I hope it is. The pressure is off us and we are expected to lose this game so I am hoping that can free the players from some of the pressure. You could see against Swansea that the players were playing without freedom, we were expected to win in front of our own fans after such a humiliating defeat at Chelsea.

I am a frustrated that we are facing City at this time. After the 6-3 defeat at City I was convinced that we would get our own back when we brought them back to Ashburton Grove. Granted I foolishly expected Walcott, Özil, Ramsey and co to be lining up against them.

What we cannot do is play an open game this afternoon. At least that is my thinking before kick off. We have to play the way we played them in the last game of pre season. Sit back in numbers and break on them when we get the chance. Who remembers that through pass from Ramsey to Walcott to score the winner? *sigh*

Arsene doesn’t have a great deal of options today, none of our injured players are back so it will be a case of rolling the walking wounded back onto the pitch. However I do see at least one change and that is Kim Kallstrom starting in place of Mikel Arteta who has looked off the pace recently. Given both players lack of pace, it would be incredibly risky to play them both at the same time.

The Swede looks very determined and good on the ball but I do worry about his mobility against the likes of Silva, Toure and Nasri.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up:

Don’t laugh at Kallstroms head! Cazorla probably wasn’t the best choice of body

Ok, got to make a move so I can watch the game. Enjoy the game Gooners and hopefully we can enjoy the result.