LATEST NEWS: “They won’t just lose today; they’ll be humiliated, believe it or not,” Chelsea star Didier Drogba shares his prediction for Arsenal’s match against Manchester City.
Arsenal is preparing for another significant challenge this weekend as they face Manchester City, their long-standing rivals in recent title races. Over the past two seasons, City has narrowly defeated Arsenal to claim the Premier League trophy, but this year, the Gunners are determined to shift the momentum—starting with their upcoming match at the Etihad Stadium.
Coming off a victory in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur and a goalless draw in their Champions League opener against Atalanta, Arsenal aims to build on this momentum. Goalkeeper David Raya was particularly impressive in Italy, earning recognition for his remarkable double save in Bergamo. As anticipation grows, here are some of the latest updates regarding the team:
Shearer Predicts a Draw
Premier League legend Alan Shearer has shared his insights ahead of Sunday’s clash at the Etihad, predicting a tightly contested match. In comments to Betfair, Shearer noted, “If you offered Arsenal the opportunity to take a point at the Etihad, as they did last year, they would gladly accept it. They don’t necessarily need to go there to win.” He commended Arsenal’s defense, stating, “I believe Arsenal has the best back four in the Premier League, especially with the support they receive from the midfield.”
Shearer ultimately anticipated a draw, highlighting that both teams have recently played midweek Champions League matches. He suggested that such a result would be acceptable for both sides, even with Manchester City playing at home.
Sterling Faces Tough Competition
Raheem Sterling, who recently joined Arsenal on loan from Chelsea, has been cautioned not to expect a regular starting position this season. Former Liverpool player Mark Lawrenson, speaking to Paddy Power, indicated that Sterling is likely to be used primarily for squad depth. “At Arsenal, I expect Raheem Sterling to be a squad player. I don’t see him breaking into the starting eleven,” Lawrenson stated. He speculated that Sterling would likely see around 25 minutes of play each week unless he makes a notable impact during his appearances.
Sterling, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium on deadline day, has so far made two substitute appearances for the Gunners.
Carragher on Saliba and Gabriel
Football pundit Jamie Carragher believes that Arsenal’s central defensive duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães has the potential to become one of the best defensive partnerships in Premier League history. Their strong performances have been crucial to Arsenal’s impressive defensive record this season, and Carragher sees great promise for them to solidify their place among the all-time great defensive pairings.
As Arsenal readies itself for this crucial match against Manchester City, they will look to these key players to help them achieve a valuable result in their quest to dethrone the reigning champions.