Arsenal welcome Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday for a much-awaited Premier League clash.
The Gunners are second in the Premier League and come into this game off the back of a 2-1 success over Girona in midweek in the Champions League, booking their spot in the competition’s knockouts. They edged Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 in a controversial game at Molineux last weekend to consolidate their position in the league.
On the other hand, the Sky Blues have enjoyed a revival in form in the league, winning four of their last five games. They beat Chelsea 3-1 before overcoming a stubborn Club Brugge with the same scoreline in the Champions League to set up a daunting two-legged playoff tie with Real Madrid.
Without further ado, let us take a look at the key battles of this mouthwatering fixture.
#Martin Odegaard vs Mateo Kovacic
Martin Odegaard has looked far from his best since returning from injury for Arsenal. The Gunners skipper makes the team click in midfield, but without Bukayo Saka and Ben White on the right side of the pitch, he has struggled to influence games as he normally does.
Nonetheless, the Norwegian is a quality player and will be raring to put in a captain’s display in this fixture. With his eye for pass, elusive movement and link-up play, Odegaard can unlock the Man City backline. Therefore, Mateo Kovacic will have his task cut out.
Kovacic has been tasked to operate as the holding midfielder in Rodri’s injury absence. The Croat has blown hot and cold in this role, but with Pep Guardiola lacking options, expect him to continue. If he can stop Odegaard from getting into pockets of spaces and linking with the wingers, Man City’s chances of getting the better of Arsenal’s midfield will become higher.
#Erling Haaland vs Gabriel Magalhaes
The last time Arsenal and Man City met, it ended in a controversial 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium followed by feisty scenes between both sets of players after John Stones had scored in the eighth minute of additional time to secure a point for the hosts.
Erling Haaland was at the centre of the dramatic scenes after he had celebrated Stones’ stoppage-time equaliser by throwing the ball against the back of Gabriel Magalhaes’ head. Come Sunday, the battle between Haaland and Gabriel may erupt on the pitch. Expect the two premier athletes to go toe-to-toe against each other.
#Gabriel Martinelli vs Josko Gvardiol
Gabriel Martinelli has shown signs of getting back to his old form of late. The Brazilian has been operating off the right in Saka’s injury absence, and if his recent performances are anything to go by, he can cause Man City’s shaky defence problems.
If Martinelli starts on the right flank again, he will square up against Josko Gvardiol. The City left-back likes to venture forward and get involved in their build-up plays. Plus, the Croat is also a big goal threat, having scored five goals already this season.
On Sunday, though, Gvardiol may have to curb his attacking instincts and focus more on the defensive side of the game to contain an in-form Martinelli. The Arsenal winger will try to pin the City defender back as much as possible and put him under constant pressure with his directness and movement.
