I imagine that Koscielny will be detailed to stop Tevez once in possession, leaving Johan Djourou as the spare man. It should be a good battle as both players are very tenacious and give everything they have. If Koscielny can handle Tevez then Manchester City’s attacking threat will be greatly reduced

After the elbows, studs and stamps from Birmingham on the weekend, it is time to go again in another big game. Manchester City roll into North London on the search for revenge after our victory at the City of Manchester earlier in the season.

This time round our opponents are likely to keep the full eleven on the pitch for longer than five minutes, longer than they managed back in October.

All eyes will initially be on the team sheet before the kick off, supporters scrambling to see which of their heroes will be starting the game. My money will be on many of the faces that put both Birmingham and Chelsea to the sword. I suppose the only major decisions will be to replace either Djourou and Van Persie for Squillaci and Chamakh. The question will be if they are ready to play more than one game a week. I am guessing that the importance of the game and the four day gap between today and our last match will see both continue down the spine of the side with team mates likely to replace one or two of them late in the second half depending on the score and direction of the match.

Jack Wilshere has played many minutes of late and had our opponents have been of lesser quality then I suspect that our young prodigy would have taken his place amongst the substitutes covering themselves up in an Arsenal blanket.

The other obvious ace Arsene has tucked up his sleeve is in the form of Andrey Arshavin. His last start included a spectacular goal and an assist at Wigan so he makes a great case but given the way the team played as a defensive unit against Chelsea you get the feeling that if we are playing against a dangerous team on the break then Arshavin may well be demoted to the bench, replaced by Theo Walcott who has improved considerably on his defending.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Manchester City are likely to play a very narrow midfield trio and cut off the spaces for Cesc and Nasri to exchange passes. Theo Walcott will be important if he can stay wide, which may allow him a few chances to go one on one with whichever left back that is selected for our opponents.

I suspect that Manchester City will look to hit us on the break and slide balls through to Carlos Tevez.

One to watch: Laurent Koscielny

I imagine that Koscielny will be detailed to stop Tevez once in possession, leaving Johan Djourou as the spare man. It should be a good battle as both players are very tenacious and give everything they have. If Koscielny can handle Tevez then Manchester City’s attacking threat will be greatly reduced.

Adam Johnson cutting inside on Clichy’s weaker right foot will also be interesting and potentially dangerous. It could also be another reason for Nasri to start ahead of Arshavin as his defensive ability may be called upon on more than one occasion.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Arsenal 1 (Nasri) Manchester City 0

Last season, Mancini brought a very negative Manchester City to London and bored their way to a 0-0 draw, without the creative talents of Silva and the skill and goals of Balotelli, both players absent through injury, I can see Manchester City trying to keep the game as tight as possible. They felt no way in strangling the game to death against their Manc rivals at home, so do not expect them to be expansive and adventurous.

I expect Arsenal to have most of the ball in their half but still keep our shape and discipline, just as we did against Chelsea. The game could be goalless in the first half, if so, hopefully we can find the back of the net in the second half.

All I hope for is the same collective determination to win the ball back when we do not have it and for our ball players to pass quickly when we are in possession, the rest should take care of itself.

COME ON THE ARSENAL.