Pep talks: Don’t overthink things, tell Doku to keep things simple

Instead, I have indulged my more fantastical impulses, selecting three pieces of advice that I would offer both managers (it’s like a throwback to my old Football Manager days).

Manchester City

1- Don’t overthink things

One advantage that City have is that they have had a full week to rest ahead of Sunday’s festivities. However, Pep can be his own worst enemy when left to his own tactical devices (not playing a CDM in a Champions League final was certainly a choice). I would just advise that Guardiola sticks to the formula that has revitalized their flagging campaign. If O’ Reilly doesn’t start on Sunday, just go like-for-like with Alt-Nouri. Sure, you won’t have the same presence in the box (and Doku would probably have to tuck in a bit more). But it would still be a better option than changing the shape completely (like forcing Reijnders into midfield for more control).

2- Tell Doku to keep things simple

Jeremy Doku is like Forrest Gump’s proverbial box of chocolates: you never know what you are going to get. He was a virtual non-entity in that first half against Chelsea, constantly picking the wrong option in killer positions. He was far more effective in the 2nd stanza, using his electrifying pace and dancing feet to isolate defenders. Given Arsenal’s current right-back woes, Doku could prove key to City’s chances of disrupting Arsenal’s coronation (as he did in the League Cup final). I think that Doku needs to make that last-minute decision a bit sooner: take your shot or quickly look for Haaland with a cutback.

3- Don’t tame Cherki

In many ways, Ryan Cherki is the complete antithesis of a ‘Guardiola player’. He is brash and spontaneous, less system-based than someone like Bernardo Silva (who probably cuts his grass in little triangular movements). Cherki has a rebellious streak ala Cantona, frustrating Guardiola with his penchant for keepie-uppies and general showboating. My advice for Guardiola would be this: don’t discourage him. His unpredictability and vision are what sets him- and this team- apart from Arteta’s well-oiled army of automatons. Don’t neuter the magical spark that separates these two sides.

Arsenal

1- Resist the Havertz itch

My first bit of advice for Arteta would be something that many Arsenal fans have been screaming for the past two years: don’t start Havertz. Don’t start him in the 10 role and don’t start him in any midfield capacity. The only way that Havertz makes sense is coming on as an emergency striker (as he did to great effect in that first leg against Sporting). He doesn’t have the engine to be effective against this dynamic City side, nor does he really have the creativity to operate in the pocket. Let’s hope that Arteta resists the urge to flaunt his pet project in this pivotal fixture.

2- Be brave on the counterattack

I know that there are many calling for Arteta to be brave and perhaps start with Rice as the sole holding midfielder. I think the home match against Bournemouth was the time to experiment with that type of gung-ho approach. No, I think it would be naïve to think they could carve City open given their recent goal-scoring issues. They need to do it Arteta-style, frustrate City and look to capitalize on counterattacks and set-pieces. But they need to commit bodies forward when they counter, replicate the performances of the likes of Forest and West Ham. Gyokeres needs to link things up better than he did against Sporting on Wednesday night (it was like watching Lukaku play in Timberland boots).

3- Get Lewis-Skelly in that midfield

This is on the more speculative end of things. Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of Arsenal’s breakout performers last year, reserving arguably his best display for Arsenal’s titanic 5-1 win over City at the Emirates. For some reason, the industrious youngster has been deemed surplus to requirements for much of this campaign. I just think that his engine would give Arsenal a boost in what is going to be a vital midfield battle. Zubimendi has looked too regressive and timid in that role in recent weeks, needing to be consoled by his teammates after losing Alex Scott in the build-up to Bournemouth’s winner. Can you imagine if Roy Keane had been his teammate? He probably would have got a tight one around the ear. I just don’t know if Zubimendi is the man for this occasion.