Combined Best XI: Manchester City vs. Stoke City

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester City at Bet365 Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester City at Bet365 Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
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STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Marko Arnautovic of Stoke City celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Middlesbrough at Bet365 Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Marko Arnautovic of Stoke City celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Middlesbrough at Bet365 Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Second Striker – Marko Arnautovic

Despite a poor start to the season, Arnautovic has been Stoke’s best option offensively and is a wildcard every match. His six goals and four assists in all comps, proves he can help the team in a variety of ways. At 27, he still has some years to produce in the league whether it is with Stoke or someone else. He brings a flare to the pitch, which can sometime be a negative when the team doesn’t perform well. I could see Arnautovic being a forward partner with Aguero,as the Austrian could play out-wide on up-top.

Manchester City will look to defeat Stoke for the second and final time this season, after a 4-1 road win against the Potters back in August. Following Wednesday’s league contest, Manchester City then travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday for a F.A. Cup quarterfinal tie.