“Only this particular Arsenal player is fit to be in my team…Over the years he has shown his capabilities and he’s currently better than Kelvin de Bruyne”: Pep Gaurdiorla says Arsenal has ONE single player who could start every matches for him even without training, Claims other Arsenal player’s are wack
Pep Guardiola did not give much away when asked if his team selection for the UEFA Champions League opener against Inter Milan was influenced by Sunday’s impending fixture against Arsenal.
Speaking to TNT Sports before his star-studded squad’s match against the Italian giants at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, he was asked how much of the game with Mikel Arteta’s side played into his starting XI for the Inter fixture. He replied uniquely by raising his hand to form a ‘0’ before adding: “Zero!”
City made four changes for tonight’s game at the same venue. Spain talisman Rodri, who’d played 45 minutes in a weekend win against Brentford, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva all came in to replace Kyle Walker, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan.
It must be said, Guardiola and reporter Jules Breach seemed to see the funny side of that one-word reply. Despite the Arsenal meeting being just five games into the 38-match Premier League schedule, both managers will know how important it is. Last season, Arsenal had the edge over City, at least head-to-head, with their last-gasp 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium coming before a 0-0 draw in the return fixture.
Their improved fortunes last season were welcomed by Gunners fans who previously had witnessed some torrid displays at the Etihad Stadium, but that nine-year wait for a win in east Manchester remains. With Arsenal already dropping points against Brighton recently, it puts the impetus on Arteta’s side to go there and win.
A victory would see Arsenal go above City by one point, ut the lasting psychological boost that might give them could, ultimately, boost their latest silverware charge.
Before they can give City their undivided attention, though, the Gunners face a trip to Bergamo, Italy, where they will face last season’s UEFA Europa League champions Atalanta in what could prove to be a tough affair. Despite a stuttering start to the Serie A charge, they will take some solace from the fact Arsenal have been defeated in the last three UEFA Champions League games in Italy; 0-1 against Roma in 2009, 0-4 against AC Milan in 2012 and most-recently a 0-2 defeat to Napoli – in Naples – 11 years ago.
