Premier League: Arsenal thrash Sheff Utd 6-0 to close gap on leaders Liverpool
Arsenal maintained their pace in the title race as they outclassed Sheffield United 6-0 in an outstanding performance at Bramall Lane.
Seems a certain Argentine is missing from the City starting XI!
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on Saturday sprung a major surprise, dropping Sergio Aguero in favour of Raheem Sterling for the Sky Blues’ trip to Bournemouth.
https://twitter.com/afcbournemouth/status/901391340407336961
The Cherries have some notable inclusions in their lineup as well, with Jermain Defoe making his debut up top in a 3-5-2 formation. His strike-partner at the Vitality Stadium is Joshua King and the duo will have be dependent on quality service from wing-backs Adam Smith and Charlie Daniels if they are to win the tie.
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Tyrone Mings, Nathan Ake and Sam Cook start in a three-man defence and will have their task cut out against a City attack that has plenty of firepower.
TEAM NEWS | Here’s how City line up today! Brought to you by @haysworldwide. #afcbvcity #mancity pic.twitter.com/0niQGtAMGV
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 26, 2017
Guardiola has changed his formation to a 4-2-3-1, with Gabriel Jesus leading the line and the fleet-footed Sterling will be supporting him from a central role. The Catalan tactician’s insistence on playing Jesus has come as a surprise and with some days left before the transfer deadline, may see Aguero move towards the exit.
Summer signing Benjamin Mendy makes his debut and will be playing alongside centre-backs Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi and right-back Danilo in a four-man defence.
Fernandinho is City’s defensive midfielder for the tie and will look to free up the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Bernardo Silva as the Sky Blues seek their second win of the season.
Bournemouth: Begovic, Mings, Ake, Cook, Smith, Gosling, Surman (c), Arter, Daniels,King and Defoe.
Manchester City: Ederson, Danilo, Kompany (c), Otamendi, Mendy, Fernandinho, Sterling, De Bruyne, Silva, Bernardo and Jesus.
Match kicks off at 12.30 GMT/1700 IST.
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