THE KEY message for Arsenal today is a simple one: Don’t be beaten!
If Mikel Arteta’s boys win against Manchester City, they will be Prem title favourites in many people’s books.
Mikel Arteta would turn Arsenal into title favourites if he beats Manchester City Credit: Rex
But after three points at Tottenham and a point against Atalanta, a draw would make it a great week.
I know some people say the Gunners not going for the jugular at the Etihad last season cost them the title as they fell two points short.
But I still feel it was the defeat by Aston Villa a couple of weeks later that really did the damage.
No one would be complaining about that draw at City had they put away their first-half chances against Villa.
If Arsenal lose, a five-point gap will open up, though that’s not impossible to close — there will be plenty of time.
But this is a massive game.
It’s a huge blow for Arsenal to lose Martin Odegaard. He unlocks doors and can play killer passes.
It looks like Kevin De Bruyne is out, too, but City have more strength in depth. Whoever comes in will be a world-class player — I’m not so sure Arsenal will cope as well in the absence of the brilliant Norwegian.
Mikel Arteta leaves fans in shock as he speaks fluently in new language despite never having lived or worked in country.
Harry Redknapp. Photo |AFP
Let’s face it, KDB was missing for half of last season yet City still ended up as champions!
Inter Milan did a good job against them in the Champions League this week — they were hard to break down.
Maybe Arteta will try to do the same and hit City on the break.
Arsenal’s defence looks strong, especially centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. But it’s a bit early to compare them to Tony Adams, Steve Bould and other great Arsenal defenders of the past. They haven’t won a league title.
And not forgetting Martin Keown as well, George Graham had great options.
Adams was an unbelievable leader and talker. They don’t make ’em like him and John Terry any more. Two of the great talkers and leaders.
Haaland is a machine and scoring goals for fun again — but there was a bit of edge between him and Gabriel last time. That could kick off again.
I first saw Tony play, aged 14, at West Ham’s training ground.
He bossed his team-mates around all the time: “Come in here, push in there.”
I thought, “Who’s this kid?”. He was such a captain, such a leader.
I’d put Terry in the same category, a real warrior centre-half who led his team to major trophies.
The question today is, can the two Arsenal centre-backs cope with Erling Haaland, like they did last season?
Haaland is a machine and scoring goals for fun again — but there was a bit of edge between him and Gabriel last time. That could kick off again.
Regardless, it would be good to see a better game than last time, which was a bit of a bore — ending 0-0.
Let’s hope it lives up to its star billing — even though I’m predicting a 1-1 draw. But Arteta would be delighted with that.
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