Mikel Arteta’s decision could give Manchester City an advantage over Arsenal in the Premier League title race
Despite being in a different competition, Friday’s match between Manchester City and Arsenal could have significant implications for the Premier League title race.
In a strange turn of events, the league’s top two teams have yet to play each other, adding another layer of intrigue to what is becoming an exciting competition for the trophy. City and Arsenal were scheduled to play early in the season, but the match was postponed due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
In the subsequent months, the two sides’ fortunes have diverged. The Gunners have gained strength over time. Even when the World Cup break and Gabriel Jesus’ injury threatened to derail their momentum, they have handled everything with ease and established themselves as favorites to win the championship. A desperate victory over rivals. On Sunday, Manchester United exuded the aura of a team with all the momentum and the ability to pull out a victory even when it seems unlikely. They appear to be champions.
Meanwhile, City has hit a snag and has had to contend with mental issues. Despite the fact that it appeared they had quickly returned to form after the World Cup break, similar errors resurfaced. Pep Guardiola rarely suffers consecutive defeats, and their loss to Manchester United from a winning position looks even worse in comparison to Arsenal’s victory. Even a comeback victory over Tottenham failed to lift the manager’s spirits as he criticized his players for their lack of zeal.
A few days later, a 3-0 victory over Wolves appeared to have restored the team’s normal rhythm, but this could be disrupted once more. Friday. Finally, City and Arsenal meet.
It will take the form of an FA Cup match, and the implications of the game for both teams are already intriguing. Mikel Arteta faces particularly challenging decisions.
Does Guardiola’s former pupil go for the throat of his former coach? Does he name a squad as formidable as possible to defeat the Blues in the opening match? Why then? Arsenal are currently the best team in the country, and they have no reason to fear any opponent. The victory would boost their confidence even more.
However, what if they went all out and lost? Would that have a deflating effect on a squad that is currently riding high? Would it enter their minds prior to the two league matches? It’s a risky proposition, and Arteta might be better off sacrificing a portion of the cup. Obviously, you’re still going to win, but make some significant substitutions and don’t play your most important players, and you’ll have a ready-made, plausible explanation for a loss that can be easily dismissed. It must be difficult to strike such a fine balance.
For Guardiola, there is essentially only one option: to win. On Friday, City will have the opportunity to deliver a significant psychological blow to their title rivals, who are currently on the back foot and chasing. As we’ve witnessed countless times over the years, the Gunners consistently buckle under pressure and squander golden opportunities. Aside from Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, they are an inexperienced team when it comes to winning championships, and this loss could shake them up.
Given City’s small but absurdly strong roster, Guardiola would have a difficult time selecting a weaker team. Even with multiple substitutions, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo, and Ruben Diaz could join the team, so they should be able to win regardless of his selection.
While advancing in the FA Cup is certainly a plus, this match represents City’s first opportunity to gain a foothold in the race and give their rivals a setback. They cannot afford to throw it away.
Mikel Arteta’s decision could give Manchester City an advantage over Arsenal in the Premier League title race