Man City won’t be concerned about clean sheets if they keep winning, according to Onuoha (1:38).
Nedum Onuoha provides an explanation of his lack of concern regarding Manchester City’s defense’s inability to keep opponents scoreless. (1:38).
With their confidence back and their regular winning ways resumed, Manchester City travels to Arsenal on Sunday for a matchup at the top of the Premier League standings.
When Pep Guardiola’s team defeated RB Leipzig 3-1 on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League, I was there to witness it. Julián lvarez’s brilliant goal, which effectively ended the game after a period of tenacious resistance from the Bundesliga team, was the catalyst for the victory.
After losses to Newcastle and Wolves back-to-back, there had been some worry that City might be vulnerable, but the outcome put an end to that.
The defending Premier League champions have not suffered three consecutive defeats in a single season since 2018, and they never appeared to be in danger of doing so in Leipzig, where they once held an astounding 88 percent of the ball.
– ESPN+ streams LaLiga, Bundesliga, and more (U.S. S.
).
Rodri’s return, who was still eligible to play in Europe despite his current domestic suspension, made a big difference.
When Rodri is present, Manchester City loses only 7% of its contests; this number jumps to 33% when he is absent.
The good news for Arsenal is that Rodri is unable to play on Sunday, which is one of the team’s most valuable players.
Since it is the third and final game of his suspension, City’s ability to fill Rodri’s spot in that “No. 6” role.
Mateo Kovacic, despite his class, failed to perform when given the job in the shocking loss to Wolves, showing that Guardiola does not trust either him or Kalvin Phillips. John Stones, who hasn’t played since the Community Shield in August, was on the bench in Germany because he’s healthy again.
It is a difficult decision for Guardiola, who will have to improvise in a crucial area of the pitch.
he has the nous and passing range to play that anchor role if needed, but is he going to be ready or sharp enough for a start against Arsenal after seeing so little action so far this season?
Rico Lewis, an 18-year-old who was a hive of ideas and vigor alongside Rodri, was one person who unquestionably advanced his case in Leipzig.
Guardiola grinned widely and exclaimed, “Wow!” when asked to comment on the youngster from Manchester’s performance.
The recovery of Bernardo Silva from an injury is good news for City, leaving only Kevin De Bruyne as a notable player still in the hospital.
However, Jack Grealish, who had recovered from a bad leg injury, appeared subdued in the Champions League and may not start against Arsenal in favor of the quick and direct Jérémy Doku, who scored City’s third goal in Germany.
Erling Haaland is currently going through a rare dry spell despite being a goal-scoring machine in general.
His longest goalless streak in the Champions League is five games, and last weekend against Craig Dawson of Wolves, a warhorse, he barely got a kick. Haaland has eight goals in 11 games this season, though he is never quiet for very long because he is hungry.
Arsenal, who haven’t won the title since the 2003–04 campaign and for whom it is a holy grail, will undoubtedly present a much tougher test than Leipzig, who seem to lack ambition.
The Gunners’ strategy in manager Mikel Arteta’s most recent mind game against his former City manager and mentor, Guardiola, will be fascinating.
Arsenal are still smarting from how City overpowered them last season.
You speculate that Arsenal’s Champions League defeat at Lens, where Bukayo Saka sustained an injury, may have been brought on by players’ attentions being preoccupied with the crucial matchup against City.
Arsenal does not typically play at home and on the break, but Wolves demonstrated that the best game plan may be to deny City’s playmakers those half spaces.
But Arsenal could easily lose its way if it takes a more daring, risky tack. Consider this: In 2-2 draws at the Emirates, Fulham and Spurs both took advantage of weak defensive play.
Last weekend, the difference between the teams was only one point, with City leading the table with 18 points, but their midweek victory in Saxony served as a sobering reminder that City are once again on the winning track. And Arsenal should be particularly concerned about that.
Click the link for more updates on Arsenal and Manchester City news.
