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Arsenal can unleash surprise Martin Odegaard alternative vs Man City with wildcard solution

Martin Odegaard during Arsenal team photo
-Credit: (Image: (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))


Mikel Arteta is facing a number of huge team selection decisions for the Premier League clash against Manchester City. The Gunners are guaranteed to be without both Mikel Merino and club captain Martin Odegaard for the trip to Etihad Stadium which will leave Arteta light for options in midfield.

Declan Rice's suspension last weekend against Tottenham saw Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey start in midfield. Four days later, for the Champions League encounter with Atalanta, Rice was back in the starting XI in place of Jorginho with Gabriel Jesus also replacing Leandro Trossard.

After making an incredible double save, David Raya was named player of the match but it was the performance of Partey that was perhaps more noticeable. The Ghana international gave away a penalty and was bypassed far too easily on a number of occasions by Atalanta midfielder Ederson in particular.

Figuring out how to make up for the absence of Odegaard may be his priority but changing the dynamic of his engine room could be just as important. Jorginho as the deepest lying midfielder of the three is certainly an option with Rice joined by one of Trossard or Havertz ahead of the Italy international.

Likely aware of the challenge awaits, Arteta could opt to keep Partey in the starting XI and still bring Jorginho in with Rice then as the furthest forward midfielder. However, there is another solution to Arteta's midfield woes which could help increase creativity levels.

Though he has rarely been deployed as a midfielder, Raheem Sterling certainly has the qualities to thrive centrally against his former club. His best trait is arguably advancing with the ball at his feet beyond players and that could be needed on Sunday when the Gunners are able to win back possession.

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As was seen against Inter, both Nicolo Barella and Piotr Zielinski were able to get their side up the pitch and win fouls by making darting runs beyond City's midfield. Arteta, if he opts to leave Partey out of the starting XI, is far more likely to deploy either Havertz or Trossard in a central position but Sterling can be considered an option.

Though he has been training on the right and replaced Saka on Thursday, Sterling can also play on the opposite flank. Gabriel Martinelli has struggled as of late and his spot in the starting XI is far from secure with Trossard as another option that could replace him.

In order to stretch the pitch, Arteta may also be tempted to bring Riccardo Calafiori back into the team as a natural left-footer with Jurrien Timber switching flanks. While that would leave Ben White on the bench, it is a brutal decision that would be made specific to Arsenal's opponents.

With that said, Arteta is not one to tinker with his favoured starting XI very often and thus limited changes are likely especially with the magnitude of Sunday afternoon's game.