Arsenal fans are conceding defeat in their top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City on Wednesday (February 15) after Thomas Partey was ruled out of the game. The Gunners host Pep Guardiola’s men at the Emirates in a game with big title implications.
Mikel Arteta’s team is top of the Premier League, but only has a three-point lead over City. That explains the importance of Wednesday night’s game between the two title rivals. It is the first time the two teams have met in the league this season.
Arsenal fans are already throwing in the towel, with Partey completely missing out on team of the day. The Ghanaian midfielder has been key for the Gunners this season, appearing on 23 occasions, scoring twice and helping his team keep clean sheets on 12 occasions. The North Londoners have lost just three times in competitions with him in the side.
Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsdale starts in goal, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko in defence. Arteta has chosen Jorginho as Partey’s replacement. The Gunners’ new signing accompanies Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard in midfield. A familiar front three of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah line up in attack.
Nervousness among the Emirati faithful is mounting, and Partey’s absence has been a blow. One fan acknowledges that the Gunners’ chances of winning the title are over:
“Title charge finished. (Sad face).”
Another opined that Partey should be sold due to its latest setback:
“Sell it. Enough is enough.”
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the former Atlético Madrid player missing the top-of-the-table battle with Manchester City due to a muscle injury:
Arsenal legend Tony Adams urged Arteta to drop Zinchenko against Manchester City
Zinchenko joined Arsenal from Manchester City last summer for £30m. The Ukrainian has quickly become a hit with Gunners fans with his passion and consistent performances from him. He has made 18 appearances, providing one assist and helping his team keep seven clean sheets.
However, Adams advised Arteta to drop the former City player as he has reservations about how Zinchenko might deal with Riyad Mahrez. Adams told The Sun:
“I would play Tomi at left-back instead of Oleksandr Zinchenko to look after Mahrez because then Arsenal would have enough in midfield and up front I would exploit City’s weakness on the left of their defense and hand them over.”
Instead, Tomiyasu has been chosen at right-back, with Ben White on the bench. If Zinchenko had been benched, the English defender could have started.
The Gunners face a Manchester City side dealing with off-pitch drama amid charges of breaching the Premier League’s financial fair play rules. They suffered a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on February 5. However, they reacted with a resounding 3-1 win over Aston Villa last weekend, and Mahrez was at the center of things.