In our view, a certain Manchester City forward should be used in a role he has only been deployed in twice this season and that too against Arsenal.
Perhaps some might suggest that neither Pep Guardiola nor Mikel Arteta should make any experiments in such a massive game.
However, managers often take such risks in big games and their experimentation is rewarded.
For instance, when Pep Guardiola deployed Bernardo Silva as a false nine against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup in the 2019/2020 season, his side dominated and won 3-1.
If Jeremy Doku starts against Arsenal, the Manchester City winger should be deployed centrally
While the Catalan boss has been slated for overthinking in big games throughout his career, such criticism often falls flat as his experiments tend to favour his side and could against Arsenal as well.
The best managers make big decisions.
On Sunday, in our view, Guardiola should make another one.
And that is to deploy Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku centrally against Arsenal if he decides to start him.
Perhaps it may be a risk to do so, considering the £55 million man has only played in that position twice this season, against Newcastle United in his side’s 3-2 win and in their 2-0 victory in the FA Cup.
Much like in City’s triumph against the Magpies right before the international break, the way to fit Doku into such a role against the league leaders would be by fielding Gvardiol as a makeshift left-winger in possession.
Arsenal might be stunned when having to face Jeremy Doku in central zones against Manchester City.
Out wide, teams such as Liverpool and Chelsea have often doubled up on the Belgian this season due to him being one of the most dangerous dribblers in the Premier League.
But centrally, Doku is afforded a lot more space to beat the opposition midfield, as was the case against Newcastle and against the Gunners as well, he could use this trait to full effect.
Considering Manchester City speedster Jeremy Doku is at his devastating best when dribbling, it would be best to optimise this quality of his against Arsenal.
While £105 million (Sky Sports) midfielder Declan Rice is proficient at regaining possession through his inch-perfect tackling, he has rarely come up against a dribbler as skilled as the former Rennes youngster.
Especially in the middle of the park.
To add to that, Doku is one of the fastest players in Europe and Rice might also have a tough time stopping an attacker who has as much athleticism as he does.
Especially in counter-attacking situations, Doku’s qualities in this regard might benefit the hosts at the Etihad Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side are likely to dominate the ball more than perhaps any team that faces the Sky Blues.
After all, in their 3-1 loss to the treble-winners at the Emirates Stadium last season, they had 62 per cent possession.
Often, City will have to play on the break on Sunday, even though they are at home.
In such situations, Manchester City will be aided by getting the ball as quickly as possible to Jeremy Doku, whose pace, dribbling and ability to ride challenges could mean his side could exploit an Arsenal team that are not afraid to press teams high up the pitch.
Such was the case against Newcastle in the FA Cup as well where Pep Guardiola’s side perhaps looked the best they have all campaign on the counter.
Playing right next to Kevin De Bruyne, who is expected to start as a right-sided attacking midfielder, Jeremy Doku could often get the ball in advanced areas of the pitch due to his countryman’s incisive passing.
If Doku can mix his game up and retain possession when required to, this very experiment could work wonders against Arsenal.