The matchup between the top two teams in the league, which might determine the end of the season in just 90 minutes, will take place between Manchester City and Arsenal. It is the matchup that Premier League fans have all been waiting for.
The current champions presently trail the league leaders Arsenal by five points, but they have two games in hand, so tonight’s outcome might hurt both clubs’ chances of winning the title. Given Pep Guardiola’s team’s dominant performance in the final stretch of the season, most people would anticipate that Mikel Arteta’s team will need to win in order to maintain their hopes.
The Spaniard acknowledged that his club is “ready for a big battle” in his pregame remarks, as Arsenal will be looking to avenge three straight draws in their previous three games.
With so much talent in their squad, City can destroy any team that stands in their way. However, with only one injury doubt among the entire group, Guardiola may be able to use an old tactic against Arsenal.
How can Phil Foden hurt Arsenal’s chances to win the title?
Last Saturday at Wembley, 22-year-old midfielder Phil Foden made his comeback from an appendectomy after nearly a month on the sidelines. The Englishman was introduced in the 68th minute.
It’s the ideal time for the four-time Premier League champion to rejoin the team. Considering his track record versus Arsenal, can he deliver another setback?
Foden has played against the north Londoners seven times and has won six of them (85.7%); he has also contributed to four goals in those games (two goals and two assists), making the forward a significant issue for Arsenal to consider facing.
The winger, who was born in Stockport, progressed from the City academy to the first team, where, according to CIES Football Observatory, his market value has increased to almost €200m (£176m).
Foden has found his form again and enjoys life under Guardiola’s watchful eye, contributing 19 goals for his boyhood club thus far this season in all competitions (13 goals and 6 assists).
The 23-cap international, who Gareth Southgate described as “very exciting” and “intelligent in his positioning,” might use his vigour and wide-play expertise to weaken Arsenal’s defence. When analysing the games, the wide players of City’s attack should identify a crucial region for exploitation. The Gunners have seen a slump in form during a poor month for Arteta’s team.
In each of their three ties, Arsenal has given up goals that are nearly identical and were scored by wide players who were able to sneak behind the centre back. A player like Foden may imitate Mohamed Salah’s, Jarrod Bowen’s, and Theo Walcott’s identical runs to sneak in behind Arsenal and harm them in tonight’s game.
The winger ranks 12th in the league in terms of converting large opportunities that fall to him (28.12% conversion rate per 90 minutes), demonstrating his skill as a player through his runs and positioning as well as his effectiveness in front of goal.
Therefore, if the 22-year-old plays this evening, he might pose a wide range of difficulties for Arsenal, as he frequently does, and Guardiola might have a plan by kicking off the nightmare of the returning team.