Will Pep Guardiola unleash the attack we saw against Chelsea at the Emirates? | OneFootball

With Manchester City set to take on Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday a fascinating match awaits. There are a host of storylines to watch for either ahead of the game or during it. One to watch for before the game is what attacking options Pep Guardiola will utilise against Mikel Arteta’s side. Manchester City do have a host of options to play up front but you do feel that the attacking trio that started against Chelsea during City’s 3-1 win at the Etihad last weekend may be City’s best option at the Emirates.

Against Chelsea Pep Guardiola selected Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden up front. City’s midfield was Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic. But what the front three displayed against Enzo Maresca’s side was that they brought energy and fluidity to City’s play. That has been lacking in Manchester City’s performances at times this season. The energy the three brought, especially Marmoush did allow City’s midfield to do what they’re designed to do. That’s control the game. Although Chelsea’s passive approach did also aid City’s cause in this regard.

With Marmoush, Haaland and Foden in the starting lineup, all of a sudden, Pep Guardiola’s side does possess a different type of attacking threat. Foden can drift centrally and make his attacking runs off of Erling Haaland. We saw that for City’s third goal last weekend against Chelsea. Omar Marmoush is an intelligent player and his runs in behind the Chelsea defence did create space for others and himself. You do get the impression that Haaland, Foden and Marmoush could well be the front three to unlock Arsenal’s defence on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne and Savinho could also start based on what we have seen this week and in the past.

But there are two variables to this equation. They are Kevin De Bruyne and Savinho. De Bruyne has dominated fixtures against Arsenal in past meetings between the two teams. Perhaps Pep Guardiola may trust De Bruyne to do it once again at the Emirates. De Bruyne is a proven performer against Arsenal although his legs aren’t what they once were. Savinho turned City’s game against Club Brugge around after halftime. The Brazilian international is in form and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start also.

But for me, Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden could be the ideal attacking trio to get at Arsenal on Sunday. They offer a different threat with their pace, technical ability and intelligence. The beginning of a devastating trio up front was clear to see against Chelsea. You’d think that if they do start and all play in a similar manner to what they did at the Etihad then they could unlock Arsenal’s defence.