Ilkay Gundogan
Manchester City star Rodri has issued a warning to Arsenal ahead of their potentially huge Premier League title-deciding clash against the Gunners on Wednesday. City were able to close the gap to the league leaders down to just three points after they beat Aston Villa 3-1 – 24 hours after Arsenal’s draw against Brentford. Pep Guardiola’s side were unable to take advantage of Arsenal’s defeat to Everton last weekend as they were beaten by Tottenham, however lightning did not strike twice for the reigning champions and now a win against Mikel Arteta’s men on Wednesday will take them top of the league on goal difference. First-half goals from Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez saw City stroll to victory at Etihad Stadium against Villa, although there is some concern emerging from Manchester with top scorer Erling Haaland subbed off at half time with an injury.
Pep 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 from 20 appearances this season, comfortably making him the division’s top scorer. City were able to cope without him when they beat Leicester earlier in the season with the forward missing out through injury. For Gundogan’s goal, Haaland’s role was key as he provided the accurate cross to leave the captain with a simple finish. The 32-year-old spoke on the 45-minute performance of City’s talisman, hoping he would be available to play against Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola said: “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 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.
Rodri said: 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. 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 also spoke on the upcoming clash against Arsenal where he expects a completely different game to the one City faced on Sunday.
Ilkay Gundogan 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.”
