Arsenal have a busy weekend ahead of them. On Sunday, Mikel Arteta and his side will travel to Manchester to face their title rivals, Manchester City.
Gooners may be concerned that they will be without their star player, Martin Odegaard, but City manager Pep Guardiola has given us reason to believe the Gunners can control the game. The Spaniard speaking to the media explained why Arsenal has a greater chance in this contest. He cited the Gunners’ athleticism and ability to score goals from set pieces, as well as their defenders ability to quickly regroup in transition, as factors he believes will make it difficult for his squad to beat them on Sunday.
Guardiola said, “I expect the game to be similar [to last season].
“To score goals, you can score from many different aspects. From set pieces, it’s not easy, but they are so tall, taller than us.
“In the transitions, their defensive transitions are quicker than our offensive transitions.
“When we are able to set them back, they accumulate a lot of players; the strikers go to holding midfielders.”
When the two met in the Premier League run-in, Arsenal managed to neutralise the threat offered by the Cityzens. Well, last season, they may have been keen not to lose if they didn’t win. This time, the sole focus should be on winning, regardless of how they do that.
As Guardiola correctly states, Arsenal’s defence and strength in set pieces gives them an advantage in the Manchester City versus Arsenal showdown; it is now up to the boys in red and white to capitalise on their strengths.
Daniel O
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I just hope, we don’t just sit back and play like at Atalanta. A draw would be acceptable a win would be dreamland. A lot depends on the team set up. Jesus and Martinelli can not start, they are not clever enough and are a bit scatter gun. The front 3 have to be Saka, Haverz and Trossard in the Odergaard role. It requires clever football not kick and rush.
I hope not ,IMO that’s where we lost the title ,one team came to play the another not to lose ,mentality will come into play once again and if we lines and repeat it will only strengthen pep and Man City’s mind set .
We may have fluked one against spurs playing that way but playing that game against Man City will only go one way .
Tired of hearing that we lost the title due to the draw at City because that’s not the case.
If we won our home games against Fulham or 8(especially) Villa, would be champions and the draw at the Etihad would have turned out to be a great result
Yep comment disappeared straight away Adpat .
I’m sure it will turn up in a few days .
I don’t think we should read too much into what Pep is saying, nice of him though it was to praise Arsenal’s strengths.
Along with Ancelotti at Real Madrid he is the most experienced, successful, coach in European football. As such, I’m sure he knows what his City team needs to do against us. Whether they will do it, we’ll only know tomorrow.
I’m expecting a draw at best. Pep can say what he wants but we look a bit off the pace at the moment and losing Odegaard is grim.
AdPat
There is an ongoing issue with posts disappearing or taking ages and ages to appear
Are you on the case?
I have to refresh Sue,Gremlins!
Yes Sue. It’s clear that the first fix didn’t work so I will chase again in the morning
👍
Merci