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‘Unbelievable’ £20m Arsenal man simply has to start against Man City on Sunday
With the international break almost now concluded, Mikel Arteta will have his full focus on Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City on Sunday.
It’s a game for the ages, a chance for Arteta’s team to prove how far they’ve come since their visit to the Etihad last season, and an opportunity to take a step towards winning the title.
A huge occasion for the club, and fans may expect there to be some nerves among the players, perhaps as was shown at a similar point of last season.
However, with the addition of players like Declan Rice and Kai Havertz in the eleven, there seems to be a new air of confidence about this Arsenal side, a healthy arrogance if you will.
And perhaps there has also been a similar change among the back line too.
Although it wasn’t a popular decision, one we all doubted at different times, David Raya has proved an upgrade on Aaron Ramsdale – a player who can help Arsenal win in a more consistent and almost ‘cold’ fashion.
Arsenal can’t drop Jakub Kiwior for Oleksandr Zinchenko against Man City on Sunday
Much akin to that David Raya decision, Mikel Arteta has also struck gold installing Jakub Kiwior at left-back.
At first he did look a bit clumsy when being asked to invert into midfield, but once Ben White was tasked with that role and the sides were swapped to a degree, the Polish defender has been ‘unbelievable’.
Jakub Kiwior is obviously a better defender than Oleksandr Zinchenko, and although the latter is one of the best full-backs in the world on the ball, he should remain on the bench for now – especially given he didn’t appear 100% fit with Ukraine over the break either.
For a game against City, Arsenal will look so much better balanced with Kiwior in the side, a player they can rely on in one-versus-one situations.
Whether it’s Phil Foden or Jeremy Doku on the right, Arsenal’s left-back will be in for a tough time.
And to drop Arsenal’s Poland international would be a huge risk, regardless of what Zinchenko offers in terms of ball control.
A midfield of Jorginho and Declan Rice should already have enough control for Arsenal against City on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta has some huge calls to make, including his decision of whether to reinstall Gabriel Jesus in the starting XI.
And perhaps he will have had one eye on Kai Havertz’s duel with Virgil van Dijk on Tuesday.