French journalist Philippe Auclair joined The Football Show to discuss Arsenal and Manchester City.
Arsenal face Manchester City on Wednesday night. Arsenal are the home team and the Premier League leaders.
It's not mathematically a must-win game, but it is a must-win game for Arsenal to make a statement. They have lost ground in recent weeks, picking up just one point in games against Everton and Brentford. Everton beat them 1-0 at Goodison Park. Brentford drew 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have been the most consistent team in the league this year but they're dropping points at a bad time. Manchester City are not in great form by their own lofty standards, but they had a good showing on Sunday against Aston Villa.
Even if Erling Haaland is unavailable through injury, City are a massive threat.
But Philippe Auclair is not overly concerned about Arsenal's form.
"I don't think what we saw against Everton and Brentford was stage fright," Auclair said.
"The nature of the opposition must be recognized. They played Everton probably at the worst possible time when the new manager just came in. And a manager who knows Arsenal inside out and knows how to play Arsenal.
"And then against a very, very, very good Brentford side which is basically fighting for a place in Europe next year.
"Two teams that do something Manchester City won't be doing on Wednesday, something that actually presents problems for this particular Arsenal side...they both play with very low blocks."
Auclair believes that Arsenal are actually better suited to a more open game where they don't dominate possession. Manchester City no longer control games and keep the ball from their opponents at all times the way they did last season. They're more susceptible to counter attacks now than in previous years.
So Auclair believes that Arsenal's more creative players might find a way to have a greater influence than they have in recent games.
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