COMBINED LINEUP - MANCHESTER CITY AND ARSENAL - FROM A TACTICAL PERSPECTIVE
- William Russell
- Apr 26, 2023
- 8 min read
Many football fans, whether they support Manchester City, Arsenal, or another club entirely, have filling The 2 Silvas Blog's Twitter feed with combined City and Arsenal line ups, claiming their opinion is "the only right answer."
But, ultimately, many of these combined line ups wouldn't be selected by either Pep Guardiola or Mikel Arteta.
Both managers, unsurprisingly given that Guardiola was Arteta's mentor, have very similar managerial approaches. Both like to operate with a 4-3-3 system, with one of the full backs dropping into midfield when in possession. They have also got great success from using inverted wingers, who like to hug the touchline and then travel inside with the ball, and they have the same footballing philosophy: dominate the game, look to overwhelm the opposition with overloads in wide areas.
Both Arteta and Guardiola have also had great success with experiments this season. The way Arteta has revolutionised Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka, from being a reckless, liability of a holding midfielder to now being one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League, has been nothing short of miraculous. And John Stones, who was once considered a mistake prone, unreliable centre back is now good enough to play in midfield for most sides in the world, and Guardiola has found a way to get that side out of him, whilst keeping him in defence, by playing him as an inverted full back.
In fact, both sides have had great success playing a traditional centre back at full back, with Ben White and Nathan Ake now looking more comfortable at full back than their original position of centre back.
The main difference between the two is their approach in possession. Guardiola prefers a more calm, composed system, and likes it when his wingers receive the ball with their back to goal, dragging opposition defenders out of position. Arteta, meanwhile, prefers his wingers to take it on the front foot, which is why we often see a ball played by a wide full back, slipping it inside to an onrushing winger, who then has space in front of them to be able to cut in on their favoured foot.
It is interesting that, since Arteta moved to Arsenal from City, the Blues have changed their approach of having primarily fast and direct wingers, such as Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane, and have gone for more controlled, technically advanced wingers, such as Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez.
A combined 11 from the two coaches would likely consist of one direct winger, and one controlled winger, as a way of striking a balance. For instance, Raheem Sterling (direct) and Bernardo Silva (controlled) were the regular wing pairing at the back end of the 2018/19 season, where Arteta would have still very much had an impact on the tactical decisions made by Pep Guardiola.
So here it is, our combined Manchester City and Arsenal line up. This isn't based on who's had the best season in every position, but is based primarily upon which players would best fit a combined Guardiola and Arteta team:
(It is also worth mentioning that we're only including players who are fit for today's game, meaning Takheiro Tomiyasu, Nathan Ake and William Saliba miss out)
Goalkeeper - Ederson
Ederson in the perfect goalkeeper for any team who wishes to play out from the back, like Arteta and Guardiola teams do. He is extremely comfortable on the ball, and there have been very few situations in which he's given the ball away in dangerous positions, compared to Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who's sloppy pass gifted Southampton an early goal in Arsenal's last Premier League match.
His shot stopping has also improved significantly, something which many fans would argue would've put Ramsdale ahead of Ederson in this ranking. However, this side is going to concede very few chances, and will have a lot of dominance in possession, so a more "modern" goalkeeper is the priority for this team.
Right back - John Stones
The perfect full back for this side, Stones contains the technical ability to drop into midfield and help keep possession, and is able to defend well when coming up against fast, skilful forwards.
The 28 year old would provide a threat going forwards from set pieces, and can pop up with the odd screamer - just like his volley against Leicester City and his thumping strike from the edge of the box against Borussia Dortmund.
Right centre back - Ben White
This team has John Stones, mostly used as a centre back, playing at right back, and Ben White, mostly used as a right back playing at centre back. Confusing? Allow me to explain.
The system that we will use, where the right sided full back drops into midfield, leaves the right sided centre back in a position fairly reminiscent to right back. It is absolutely perfect, therefore, that we have a player who has just recently been converted from centre back to full back, who can play this role.
If Stones is out of position, then White can cover that space until Stones is able to come, much in the same way Manuel Akanji often does for Manchester City. The two Englishmen will also be able to swap positions, which will be useful if there is a particular winger or forward causing one of them trouble.
White will also be able to offer the occasional overlapping run, to help create an overload down the right hand side that will be much loved by Guardiola and Arteta, which means he gest the nod over Akanji.
Left centre back - Ruben Dias
The man partnering White in central defence will be Ruben Dias, one of a few certainties in this highly competitive side.
Dias provides such leadership and dominance to the defence, which he would undoubtedly do to this side, allowing the more technically advanced players ahead of him to push forwards.
Despite not being the captain of City, he'd certainly be the captain of this combined 11, as his natural leadership skills are bettered than no other player on the pitch.
Left back - Gabriel
A 4 centre back system has been very successful for Guardiola so far this season, so let's experiment with it here.
Gabriel is a talented 1 vs 1 defender, and most of his work would be done in the defensive third anyway. He is aggressive, committed and excellent technically, therefore making him the perfect player for this combined 11.
His only negative is the occasional huge mistake, but with a calm and composed presence such as Ruben Dias lying next to him, we can hope that he'll be guided through without any major incidents.
Defensive midfielder - Rodri
At the beating heart of our combined midfield's 11, we have Rodri, who is essential to the success of this team.
Admittedly, it was a tough decision between him and Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey. But City's Spanish midfielder gets in the side based on his composure, ball playing ability and his sense of spotting the danger.
Rodri will have two much more advanced midfielders ahead of him, therefore, a lot of defensive pressure will lie on his shoulders, but if any man can handle it, he can.
Plus, with Guardiola and Arteta both being Spanish, and central midfielders in their playing careers, it'd be only right to include Rodri in a combined 11 from these two for that reason alone, never mind the fact he's absolute quality!
Right sided "8" - Martin Odegaard
We've already included one major tactic used by Guardiola, with a back 4 made up of centre backs. Now, let's use from Arteta, with his usage of Odegaard.
The Norwegian play maker is deployed almost primarily in the right sided half space (the area inside the penalty spot and the edge of the penalty area vertically,) which is where he receives most of his touches. Playing Odegaard here means he has 3 attacking options:
Pass or play a through ball to the right winger
Cross with his left foot to the back post, for the on rushing winger, left sided 8 or striker
Cut inside and shoot
This appeals greatly to this combined 11, as it fits in well with the rest of the players who will be selected in forward positions. It causes unpredictability when creating chances, and ultimately gives the Arsenal skipper the choice of playing it safe, or trying to carve out a chance.
This will fit in with both Guardiola and Arteta's system, and is therefore going to be a logical selection to put in their combined starting 11.
Left sided "8" - Kevin de Bruyne
From a tactical point of view, it is very much a coin toss between De Bruyne and City captain Ilkay Gundogan for the left sided 8 position.
The advantage of picking Gundogan is not only for the stability and composure he'd provide in central midfield, but also his ability to run into the box and score goals, which will be beneficial for Odegaard on the other side.
However, we've opted for De Bruyne for a few reasons. This side has many players who are good in the transitions, therefore, De Bruyne would slot in seamlessly in the midfield.
Taking a tactic here from Guardiola and City, the Blues have often opted to defend in a classic 4-4-2 formation, with De Bruyne pushing up alongside Erling Haaland in the press.
Without offering too much of a giveaway as to who exactly is playing up front, De Bruyne would offer this to the combined 11, as it'd give them the opportunity to press, and also defend resiliently if needs be, as Martin Odegaard is able to drop in next to Rodri.
If things aren't going well, De Bruyne and Odegaard can simply switch sides, and make underlapping runs beyond the defence to put in low crosses, very much emulating the roles of De Bruyne and David Silva of the 2017/18 and 2018/19 eras of City.
Right winger - Bukayo Saka
Providing the threat and directness down the right hand side, it is none other than England and Arsenal boy wonder Bukayo Saka,
Saka would link up well with Odegaard, knowing exactly when to run in behind, show for the ball, and drive at the backline himself.
His pace, skill and end product is something that just can't be ignored when selecting this team. It does mean that compensations have to be made elsewhere, however, but it is certainly a price worth paying, for this typical Arteta winger.
Left winger - Jack Grealish
Making up the control and ball retention on the left hand side, we have the rejuvenated Jack Grealish.
The Englishman is back to playing how he was at Aston Villa, with a touch of Guardiola's City to his game to boot.
In this very direct front line, Grealish is the perfect makeweight, as he knows exactly when to join in with the fun, but also when to slow the game down if there's nothing plausible on.
It seems harsh to leave out the impressive Gabriel Martinelli, but, ultimately, neither Guardiola or Arteta would want to sacrifice control of the game to contemplate for more direct, attacking players, which is why Martinelli has to miss out.
Striker - Erling Haaland
City's big, Norwegian striker makes up this impressive combined line up.
Haaland is the perfect player for this team, as the team is almost built around him. Having Odegaard, Saka, De Bruyne and Grealish in the team will provide plenty of transitions, which, as we know, Haaland thrives in.
The positioning of the two central midfielders, playing on their opposite natural sides, means they're positioned perfectly to cross towards the back post, something else that'll be beneficial to Haaland.
And of course, with 4 centre backs, Rodri and Haaland in the side, there'll be opportunities for set piece goals.
Substitutes
There are some obvious choices for the bench, so let's get those out of the way first.
Aaron Ramsdale, Manuel Akanji, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Martinelli are certainties, which leaves 3 spaces on the bench.
One of these spaces should really belong to a defender, so Kyle Walker gets in, with the option of his pace coming from the bench. Bernardo Silva is also a player for the big games, so he gets a space on the bench too.
There are many players to chose from to claim this final space. We've decided to opt for former blue Gabriel Jesus, as he is talented, versatile and hard working, the ultimate Guardiola and Arteta player.
Huge commiserations to the likes of Aymeric Laporte, Granit Xhaka, Leandro Trossard, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez, who narrowly missed out on a space in the squad.
Recap
Starting 11: Ederson; Stones, White, Dias, Gabriel; Rodri, Odegaard, De Bruyne; Saka, Haaland, Grealish.
Substitutes: Ramsdale, Akanji, Walker, Zinchenko, Partey, Gundogan, Bernardo, Martinelli, Jesus.
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