Defending Premier League Champions City visit the south coast chasing a third successive top-flight title whilst also fighting for further glory in the FA Cup and Champions League. Pep Guardiola’s men trail Arsenal by two points in the battle for the Premier League, with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners also boasting a game in hand. Cherries have never beaten Manchester City, losing their last 11 Premier League games to the Cityzens. Discussing the test,
Gary O’Neil said: “They ask you a lot of questions, tactically, Man City. So they’ll test how far you want to come in on things, test if you’re brave enough to come out. If you do, they’ll try and exploit the space you leave. They ask you an awful lot of questions. Physically, they ask you questions. Generally, all their players are quick and strong as well. So, yeah, they are the biggest threat you can face in this country in my opinion.”
With a trip to league leaders Arsenal on the horizon,
Gary O’Neil quipped: “Obviously, Arsenal going very well as well. We get to try that one next week! But, yeah, (City) ask a lot of questions.”
Wary of the threat Cherries’ upcoming opponents pose, O’Neil believes his side are ready to face the challenge of City.
Gary O Neil said: “The boys are well prepped, they’re in a good place. I have full belief in them with the game coming tomorrow that they’re going to go out and give it a real good go, and hopefully we can take a positive result.”
Despite grabbing 32 goals in 32 games across all competitions, Erling Haaland has scored just once in his last six City appearances. This has led to speculation that the Norwegian international is not a natural fit to City’s possession-based style, an assertion O’Neil does not agree with. Asked about this theory,
Gary O Neil replied: “No, I think his goals record is fantastic. I think they’re still a threat from so many different areas of the pitch that they can hurt you with the ball, they can hurt you by being direct and behind. Good set plays, they can play round you or they can play over you. So, yeah, it’s still a very good side and most of the metrics, they’re the best side in the league. So, yeah, now I feel like they’ll feel like come to the end of the season, everyone will see them pretty much where you expect them to be.”
