mancityblues.com

There are a number of sub-plots to this game, all of which have been well-documented, but the main issue is the result. This could be the easiest game of our run-in, and the final game against West Ham could be irrelevant, who knows? Three points are vital regardless of how the other top four contenders fare. So how can Mancini's men put the derby game behind them and achieve victory against Arsenal?

The answer to this question perhaps lies in a number of areas

1. Craig Bellamy. I'm not going to pretend to know what the truth is here, but my gut tells me that Bellamy is not a happy camper. Mancini, in the pre-game press conference, stated that he "has no problems with Craig Bellamy", or words to that effect. That may well be true, but does Craig Bellamy have problems with Roberto Mancini? It has been apparent in recent games that Bellamy has not had the zip and fizz that he usually does, and against Arsenal we will need the left-winger to be on top form to counter and trouble full-back Bachary Sagna (and presumably Theo Walcott). However, with Petrov out for the season, and SWP and AJ less effective on our left, City's options are limited. The remaining possibility is to play Adebayor on the left of a 4-3-3 - the player often looks a threat coming in from the flank, so it may be worth considering. The downside to this is that Ade would be in coin-throwing distance from the Arsenal fans! In summary, if Bellamy is genuinely up for it, I'd play him - otherwise, Adebayor may be the better choice.

2. Does Arsenal's style of play warrant playing both De Jong and Barry? We all admire the open, fluid football that Arsenal display, and there is the danger that using only one "destroyer" in the City midfield would allow them to play right through the middle. Yet considering that City will likely look to counter-attack with pace, I'm not convinced that using De Jong in this game is necessary - instead, I'd prefer to include a player who can use the ball effectively and keep City's tempo simmering. De Jong did have a decent game against United last week, but for this "must-win" fixture, I feel that City need to use all weapons available - it was notable that with only Barry really capable of creating something, our chances against United were limited. The obvious candidate is Patrick Vieira, and if the player can't put in a performance for this game, when can he?

3. Formation. If we want to take the three points, we must win the midfield battle and supply the forwards - it's that simple. Playing 4-4-2 does have it's advantages, but as outlined above, it leaves City with a problem - Tevez has to drop back deeper and deeper to help the two midfielders, often negating his value in and around the opposition penalty area. Bearing in mind that Arsenal will be using Campbell and Silvestre at the centre of their defense, it's important that Tevez be allowed to play off their shoulders and threaten them at every opportunity. Using a 4-3-3/4-5-1 will allow this, and shouldn't hamper City's attacking options if the front three are prepared to chase and give 100%. Defensively, using a three-man midfield allows the inclusion of an extra pair of legs to thwart the Gunners a little higher up the pitch - note that many of Arsenal's attacks start with their "holding" midfielder, likely to be the excellent Alex Song, back from injury.

4. Concentration. This will be key against Arsenal, a team capable of keeping the ball for long periods during a game. They may be missing important players, but with the returns of Robin Van Persil, Alex Song and probably Andrei Arshavin, they look a lot stronger than they have in recent weeks. As City realized to their great cost last week, when playing the top sides it is crucial to stay switched on until the final whistle. The experienced players for City, such as Toure, Barry and Tevez, must also ensure that we don't give away unforced errors or give the ball away cheaply, especially in our defensive third.

With all that said, this would be my team to face Wenger's men -

------------------Given--------------------------
-Onuoha-----Toure------Kompany-------------Bridge
-----------------Vieira--------------------------
---Zabaleta--------------------------Barry-------
--A.Johnson------------------------Adebayor------
-----------------Tevez---------------------------

BENCH Nielsen Richards Garrido DeJong SWP Bellers RSC

Given continues in goal of course, but I'd like to see a commanding display from him this weekend - our big signings need to show up now more than ever. Ned is at right-back, and he'll possibly be faced with the double threat of Arshavin and Cliche. Partly because of this, the return of Zabaleta will offer some steel and energy to the midfield, both to counter the Arsenal threat along our right flank and through the middle. As covered above, Paddy gets the nod as a deep-lying creator/destroyer, and his height will be useful against the likes of Van Persie, Bendtner, Diaby and Campbell defensively, as well as at attacking set-pieces. Barry has similar responsibilities as Zaba, but on the left, and both players can find a pass and play box-to-box quite well. It will be important that Zaba, Barry and Tevez link up both in an attacking sense and also conspire to stop Arsenal as high up the pitch as is reasonable. Toure, Kompany and Bridge continue from last week, and they will have their hands full if Van Persie is in form. Up front, AJ, Tevez and Ade are due big games, and if they can find the gaps between the Arsenal full-backs and central defenders, they could prosper. If none are pulling up any trees, then the options on the bench are quite capable - SWP in particular has caused Cliche problems in previous encounters.

BLOOVIC