Pep Guardiola heaps praise on Man City youngster Rico Lewis with big statement
Arsenal host Manchester City at the Emirates this afternoon, hoping to boost their Premier League title aspirations.
In a game filled with tactical chess moves, Mikel Arteta’s side have lost the last 12 Premier League matches against the champions, but the fitness of Bukayo Saka is a big question mark heading into the contest. Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, will be forced into a big midfield decision, with Rodri suspended.
“Having success against City is something you have to value, the way we played as well and it gave us confidence and a lift that we can beat them,” said Arteta. “One thing for certain is that we know we will have to be at our best in every department for 100 minutes and then we will have a chance.”
Follow live updates from Arsenal vs Man City in the Premier League and get the latest match odds here.
Arsenal 0-0 Man City
60 mins: No changes yet from Pep Guardiola who is trusting his team to get the job done against Arsenal here. They’re the second best team in this half though and haven’t managed a shot on target.
Mike Jones8 October 2023 17:51
Arsenal 0-0 Man City
57 mins: Bernardo Silva recovers the ball and sweeps it across to Rico Lewis who bombs through the middle of the pitch, Gabriel Martinelli sprints back and knocks him to ground.
The referee blows the whistle for a foul just as Lewis gets back to his feet, takes the ball into the box and puts it past David Raya. Arsenal had stopped playing though and the play is brought back for the free kick.
Mike Jones8 October 2023 17:46
Arsenal 0-0 Man City
54 mins: Manchester City haven’t been at the races at all in this second half. Martinelli’s energy has kept them on the back foot and Pep Guardiola will be thinking hard about changing things up.
Mike Jones8 October 2023 17:44
Arsenal 0-0 Man City
51 mins: Arsenal are stepping onto the front foot in this second half. Martinelli swings a corner ball into the box that Gabriel looks to get to inside the six yard area.
Ederson tries to flap the ball away but it skips through to Gabriel Jesus. He knocks it to Martin Odegaard whose effort from range sails high and wide.
Mike Jones8 October 2023 17:40
Arsenal 0-0 Man City
48 mins: Martinelli’s impact on the game comes immediately. Oleksandr Zinchenko feeds him the ball on the left wing and the forward cuts inside before lifting a cross to the back post.
The ball just goes over everyone’s heads but it’s got the Arsenal fans excited.
Mike Jones8 October 2023 17:37
Second half! Arsenal 0-0 Man City
Gabriel Martinelli is brought onto the pitch for Arsenal to replace Leandro Trossard at the break. It’s an attacking plan from Mikel Arteta and if Martinelli is fit he could prove to be the difference in the forward line.
The Gunners get the ball rolling again for the second half.
Mike Jones8 October 2023 17:35
HT Arsenal 0-0 Man City
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Mike Jones8 October 2023 17:34
Half-time! Arsenal 0-0 Man City
45+2 mins: No goals but plenty to talk about in that half. The big moment is Mateo Kovacic’s potential red card which wasn’t given. The Man City midfielder has made a couple of dodgy tackles and it is bewildering how he’s still on the pitch.
Mike Jones8 October 2023 17:24
Arsenal 0-0 Man City
45 mins: Two minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half. Nothing to separate teams thus far.
Mike Jones8 October 2023 17:17
Arsenal 0-0 Man City
42 mins: Phil Foden curls a corner kick into the box for Man City but doesn’t find a teammate. Instead William Saliba leaps into the air and nods the ball clear for the Gunners who recover it and look to build an attack of their own.
Mike Jones8 October 2023 17:12
