Manchester City vs Arsenal: Three key battles to look out for in title showdown
A blockbuster showdown that could decide who goes on to lift the 2022-23 Premier League title takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, as reigning champions Manchester City play host to leaders Arsenal.
While the Citizens, who progressed to the FA Cup final last weekend, are vying to retain the top-flight title and keep their treble-winning hopes alive, the Gunners are focused solely on securing their first Premier League crown for nearly two decades.
Arsenal have been leading the way at the summit since August, but a recent wobble in form has seen them drop points in their last three matches, including last Friday’s chaotic 3-3 draw at home to basement club Southampton, which has allowed second-placed Man City, who have two games in hand, to close the gap at the top to five points.
City have prevailed in their previous two meetings with Arsenal this season, including a 3-1 league win at the Emirates Stadium in February, and they can move one step closer to knocking the North Londoners off their perch with another triumph in front of their own fans.
As managerial mastermind Pep Guardiola prepares to go toe-to-toe with his former apprentice Mikel Arteta on the touchline, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at three key battles to look out for on the pitch in Wednesday’s clash at the Etihad.
Bukayo Saka vs. Nathan Ake or Aymeric Laporte
Nathan Ake has been one of Man City’s standout performers throughout this season and he has acquitted himself admirably on the left side of Guardiola’s backline, but with a hamstring injury potentially ruling him out of Wednesday’s clash, Aymeric Laporte could be the man tasked to suppress the qualities of Arsenal starboy Bukayo Saka.
Rodri vs. Martin Odegaard
Elevating his game to new heights since taking the Arsenal captaincy, Martin Odegaard deserves to be in the conversation for Premier League Player of the Season having enjoyed a stellar campaign as the Gunners’ chief midfield conductor.
The Norwegian, who has contributed with 12 goals and seven assists in 31 league games, has linked up brilliantly with the likes of Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus in the final third, but his influence is sure to be tested by Man City lynchpin Rodri, who has also enjoyed an impressive 2022-23 campaign.
Erling Braut Haaland vs. Gabriel Magalhaes & Rob Holding
Keeping the Premier League’s top scorer Erling Braut Haaland quiet is a challenge that many defenders have struggled with throughout this season, and Arteta will hope that the centre-back pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and Rob Holding can step up for the big occasion on Wednesday having seen his side’s defensive prowess weaken in recent weeks.
The absence of William Saliba has truly been felt by the Gunners, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last five games without the Frenchman, and they must quickly rediscover their solidity at the back if they are to have any chance of stopping goal machine Haaland.
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