Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan sends warning to Arsenal ahead of key Premier League clash
Rodri, a key player for Manchester City, has warned Arsenal ahead of their crucial Premier League match on Wednesday.
The outcome of the game could determine who wins the league title. City recently beat Aston Villa 3-1, reducing the gap to the league leaders to just three points.
However, City suffered a defeat against Tottenham after Arsenal lost to Everton. A win against Arsenal on Wednesday would put City on top of the league on goal difference.
City dominated the first half against Villa with goals from Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, and Riyad Mahrez, but there is some concern as their top scorer Erling Haaland was substituted at halftime due to injury.
Speaking to Sky Sports when asked for the early extent of his injury, Guardiola said: “I don’t know, he had a big knock and he wasn’t comfortable. We will see and we will assess in the next days. If he’s not ready, we’ll play another one. Hopefully he’s ready like everyone but we’ll see.”
The Norway international has scored 25 goals in 20 matches this season, making him the league’s leading scorer.
When City defeated Leicester earlier in the season without him because of an injury, they were able to manage without him.
Haaland had a crucial part in Gundogan’s goal by providing the accurate cross that allowed the skipper an easy finish.
The 32-year-old commented on the 45-minute performance of City’s star player and expressed hope that he would be able to face Arsenal.
“We know that Erling scored a lot of goals so far, but today in the first half he made the runs that we need,” he said. “He went into the areas where he can create space for the other players coming from the back, and he played well. Hopefully he is not too injured because we need him.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Haaland, Rodri sent a clear warning to the Gunners that City must head to Emirates Stadium with the intention of winning and proving they are a better team. “We know there is still other games to go, I know it’s a big game for us and for them, so is every game,” Rodri told Sky Sports.
“We know they are the leaders and if we want to be there at the end of the season we have to perform well, we have to show we are better than them, and that has to happen on Wednesday.
“I think they have been incredible this season, great players and very good performances. We make a step forward in these games even though we sometimes don’t have the result, but we’ve got to go to the Emirates to beat them and show the best version of Manchester City.”
Gundogan acknowledged that the match against Arsenal will be a much tougher challenge compared to their match against Aston Villa. He emphasized the need for the team to be prepared and focused in order to get the result they want.
He said “Obviously the three points [against Villa], they help, but it’s a completely different game on Wednesday. It’s going to be a tough game between the two best sides in England at the moment, obviously we are looking forward to it, but we also know how tough it’s going to be. It’s going to be a top game.”
Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan sends warning to Arsenal ahead of key Premier League clash
