Journalist Charles Watts has backed one Arsenal star to hurt Manchester City when Mikel Arteta and his squad travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta will name the strongest Arsenal starting XI he possibly can to take on Manchester City.
The outcome of this match may well have a huge impact on the Premier League title race. At this time, with ten games of the league campaign to go, the Gunners sit at the top of the table, but are just one point ahead of Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions. Liverpool are also level on points with the north London club, but trail them in terms of goal difference.
If Arteta’s side can take all three points in the north west on Sunday, they will take charge of the title race. However, it is important to remember that Arsenal’s Premier League title dream will not live or die on the basis of this result, as there are many crucial matches still to come and plenty of points still to fight for.
However, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville is insistent that Arsenal need to beat Manchester City themselves, as they cannot rely upon them to drop points elsewhere.
Mikel Arteta urged to include Gabriel Martinelli in Arsenal team
As such, Arteta will want to name his strongest side for this crunch clash. However, he may be without Gabriel Martinelli.
Martinelli remains a doubt having picked up an injury against Sheffield United. He has not been in action for club or country since then. Martinelli was also spotted using crutches at the Emirates Stadium.
However, if the Brazilian winger is ruled fit to face Manchester City, then Charles Watts is insistent that he must start that match. Speaking on his Inside Arsenal YouTube channel, the reporter stated, “if he is fit, then 100% he starts this game for me…I think the way he plays, how direct he is, the pace he’s got. I think he could cause Manchester City an awful lot of problems, especially if Kyle Walker does miss out.”
Why Gabriel Martinelli will worry Man City
Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker may indeed be sidelined for this match, as he picked up a knock whilst playing for England, as reported by Sky Sports. The 33-year-old has the kind of pace required to cope with Martinelli. The 22-year-old Arsenal man will be keen to exploit the defender’s potential absence, if he is able to make it onto the pitch himself.
Martinelli has already scored one winning goal in this fixture, when the two sides met at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season. Guardiola will be abundantly aware of the threat that the forward poses.