March 30th 2024.
As Man City gears up for their highly-anticipated match against Arsenal, manager Pep Guardiola has a lot on his mind. With injuries to key players Kyle Walker and John Stones, City will have to adjust their tactics from last season, according to former Arsenal player Martin Keown. Both Walker and Stones offer not only strong defensive capabilities, but also attacking qualities that proved crucial in City's victories over Arsenal last season.
Unfortunately for City, both players suffered setbacks while on international duty with England and will be unavailable for the upcoming match. This comes as a boost for Arsenal, who have shown improved resilience this season. However, Keown is confident that City still possess the tools to provide a tough challenge for Arsenal's title hopes.
Keown expressed his thoughts on the situation, stating that this is the risk teams take when allowing players to participate in international friendlies. He also discussed the specific skills that Walker and Stones bring to the team, such as Walker's pace on the right flank and Stones' intelligence in transitioning between defense and midfield.
With the absence of these two key players, Guardiola will have to make changes to his backline. Keown predicts that the defense will consist of Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Nathan Ake. He also believes that Akanji will be asked to move into midfield to prevent Arsenal from overpowering City in that area. Ake, on the other hand, will likely focus on containing Arsenal's Bukayo Saka.
Despite the changes in City's lineup, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is confident in his team's abilities. He believes that last season's injuries and negative momentum hindered their performance against City, but with a stronger and more reinforced squad this season, they are better equipped for the challenge.
Arteta also acknowledged the level that City has achieved and the steps that Arsenal must take to close the gap and ultimately surpass them. He expressed his determination to continue improving and competing at a high level.
In the end, it will be a highly-anticipated and intense match between two top Premier League teams. And while both teams may have their own set of challenges, they are both ready to give it their all and come out on top.
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