It is doubtful that a more accurate definition of the term “game of the season” can be found than the one that awaits us tomorrow (Wednesday, 21:30, Sport1), when Arsenal will host Manchester City in a complete match of the 12th round in the Premier League. The Gunners lead by three points over the reigning champions, with a game in hand, with a win over Pep Guardiola and his players bringing them very close to a first championship since 2003/04. On the other hand, a victory for City will jump them to the top, and from there – it is doubtful whether Mikel Arteta’s young team is able to return.
Arsenal prepares for its biggest game of the season in a very bad mood that includes three consecutive games without a win – the first ended in a 1:0 loss to the Citizens in the FA Cup, followed by a 1:0 loss to Everton, and in the last round a disappointing 1:1 against Brentford. The champion, on the other hand, recovered from the loss to Tottenham with an important 1:3 over Aston Villa, and in its last five games in all formats it counts four victories. Add to that six consecutive victories over Arsenal in all competitions, and you got the favorite tomorrow.
Gabriel Jesus has increased his pace recently, but he still won’t be available to Arteta, who will also miss Emile Smith Rowe and Rhys Nelson. The manager is debating between Andrew Trussard and Gabriel Martinelli. On the other hand, John Stones will be absent from Pep, while Erling Holland, who was injured against Aston Villa and was replaced at halftime, trained last night with his friends and should start.
“As of this moment, they are the best team in the Premier League,” praised Pep Guardiola. “We already felt it a few weeks ago. They are sharp. It will be a big battle and we will have to be ready. The mood here is good.” At the press conference, the manager made sure to apologize to Steven Gerrard, for the sting he sent him last week, he remembered that unforgettable slide that helped City win the championship in 2014: “I want to apologize to him for the stupid things I said. He knows I admire him, his career and everything he did for the country where I live and work. I’m ashamed of myself, because he didn’t deserve it. I also apologized to him personally.”
“It will probably be one of the hardest games we’ve had in recent years,” Ilkay Gundoan said. “Arsenal is a very strong team that plays in a similar style to ours, with a great manager and a great team.”
Former player and “Sky Sports” commentator Gary Neville commented on the intriguing encounter and said: “Arsenal has been the best team so far, but they are vulnerable. They can be very vulnerable, but if they are at their peak they will win, because City are still far from their peak. On the other hand, If Arsenal go up without courage, City will go for it. It’s a very interesting game, but you have to remember that the season is still long.”
The composition of the groups
Arsenal
Coach: Mikel Arteta
The game setup
4:3:3
-
B. White -
Gabriel -
and. Saliva -
A. Zinchenko
-
third. Jacka -
M. Odgor -
A. party
-
B. Sake -
A. Anketia -
third. Martinelli
Substitutes bench:
Manchester city
Coach: Pep Guardiola
The game setup
4:5:1
-
K. Walker -
A. Laporte -
R. Dias -
N. Aka
-
R. rhyme -
Rhodri -
K. de Brauna -
A. Gondwan -
third. Grealish
Substitutes bench:
In the next round, this coming Saturday, Arsenal will host Aston Villa. City will host Nottingham Forest.