by Joel Martin
When Sven Goran-Eriksson came back to England, he brought in several additions in the squad in his first week, admitting that he had only watched some of them on videotape. Not one of them was English.
Since then, Sven’s Manchester City has been the major surprise of the season, not conceding a single goal and securing maximum points in their first three games. Eriksson’s multi-national contingent includes Brazilians Elano and Geovanni, Italian Rolando Bianchi, Bulgarians Martin Petrov and Valeri Bojinov, and Croatian Vedran Corluka, who may have been his best signing. Elano, Petrov, Bianchi, and Geovanni get all the hype, but its Corluka who has solidified City’s defense at right back, letting Micah Richards play his more natural position in the middle. City has not conceded a goal yet because Micah Richards has become one of the best centrebacks in the Premiership.
That being said, City were very lucky to beat Manchester United last weekend, and they were not very impressive in a 1-0 win against Derby. They should not win at the Emirates; Arsenal are still the clear-cut favorite.
Gilberto and Adebayor will return to the Arsenal squad, but Gallas, Eboue, and Lehmann are all out injured (whether suddenly-mistake-prone Lehmann actually is injured or dropped is an interesting question in itself). Gilberto will replace Flamini (who did do well in reserve) and give Arsenal some much needed steel in midfield. He will be needed to slow down Elano. If he had been playing Arsenal would have beaten Blackburn. Adebayor could partner van Persie up front and move Eduardo to the bench, which does make sense. Bendtner, who has looked impressive so far, is also on the bench for added firepower should the Gunners need him. Rosicky also returns and will take his normal position on the left. Hleb will move to the right and Walcott will be on the bench.
Clichy will have to play well against Petrov, who is one of City’s most dangerous threats. Look for Sagna to have a great game if he’s matched up against Stephen Ireland, who has looked bad so far. Also look for an improved performance from Cesc Fabregas, who will be well-rested after only playing eight minutes as a substitute for Spain midweek.
Where Wenger should be worried, however, is at the center of defense, which was a major strength in his side a month ago. Now, however, with Gallas injured and Djourou and Connolly loaned out, Wenger’s squad is dangerously thin. If Senderos or Toure pick up a knock, Arsenal will have a hard time keeping up with Chelsea and Liverpool in this early stretch of the season. Wenger needs to bring in one more centreback to provide the depth needed for a trophy-winning side.
Look for Sagna to dominate against Ireland, Toure and Senderos to control Bianchi, Gilberto to slow down Elano, Almunia not to let the ball through his hands, and Fabregas to play a pass just behind Richard Dunne in Robin van Persie’s stride for the first goal conceded by young Kasper Schmeichel. Arsenal could score a couple more before its over.
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