The League Cup Final holds this Sunday at Wembley with two clubs looking to get the better of the other. Manchester City and Arsenal face off in a repeat of last season’s FA Cup semi-final, but this time a trophy is the reward for victory. City are favourites for this clash, but Arsenal have a fantastic record at the national stadium in recent years. Arsene Wenger is hoping to win his first League Cup in charge of The Gunners while Pep Guardiola is bidding for the first trophy of his management of the Citizens. Here is how Arsenal could lineup for the clash tomorrow.
Goalkeeper
Wenger has confirmed that Colombian shotstopper, David Ospina will feature in the clash to continue the tradition of the regular no 2 featuring in the cup competitions. Petr Cech, the no 1 will be on the bench. The veteran hasn’t quite been at his best this term, so there is an opportunity for Ospina to stake his claim.
Defence
Arsenal played a second string side in Thursday’s clash with Ostersunds FK in the Europa League and duly conceded twice in the first half. For this clash, the club’s first choice defence will be in situ. At right back, Hector Bellerin should get to start and engage in his marauding runs down the flank while on the left, Nacho Monreal will offer defensive solidity and try to stop City’s incursions down their right. At the heart of defence, Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi are expected to feature.
Midfield
With Henrikh Mkhitaryan out of the game due to being cup-tied, Wenger is expected to utilise a three-man midfield, which should comprise Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka. An extra midfielder will be needed to help City’s domination of the ball and also try to offer us another outlet when going forward. Ramsey is back fit, with his Wembley heroics expected once again after his winning goal in last year’s FA Cup Final victory over Chelsea.
Attack
A front three of Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will give City things to worry about. They offer fluid movement, attacking football and guile. Iwobi, in particular, will be looking to impress against City’s defenders. Ozil will be tasked with the responsibility of creating openings for Wenger’s team while Aubameyang will be looking to score his second goal for Arsenal after his move to north London.
Probable lineup: Ospina, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Wilshere, Ramsey, Xhaka, Iwobi, Ozil, Aubameyang.