The Premier League did not live a full day for a month due to the tribute and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II as well as a break due to national team matches. This weekend the English championship returns in a big way with two exciting derbies at stake.
Today the ninth day opens with a pulse between North London’s eternal rivals at the Emirates. Arsenal are defending first place against Tottenham, third by one point and, therefore, will sleep at the top of the Premier if they win. Tomorrow, City, second tied to ‘spurs’, and United, fifth to six points from the top, play in the Manchester derby at the Etihad.
After crashing out at Old Trafford, another ‘Big Six’ for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal face their second litmus test since the start of the Premier League. After starting with five wins against second-tier rivals, they lost the first big test at Old Trafford against Manchester United (3-1) and, although they bounced back with a 0-3 win against Brentford, now they host another ‘Big Six’ .
Tottenham are unbeaten, with five wins and two draws at home in the other two derbies against Chelsea (2-2) and West Ham (1-1). The outcome of today’s classic will provide more clues as to which of the two teams can challenge the hegemony of City, champion in four of the last five seasons.
Gabriel Jesus vs. Richarlison, duel with morbidity
It was a chance for Gabriel Jesus, author of 4 goals since he arrived at Arsenal from City, to defend himself and convince coach Tite to include him in the list for the World Cup in Qatar after he leave two recent friendships. Contrast this with his compatriot Richarlison, who won him a place in the ‘canarinha’ and scored just two goals against Ghana and one against Tunisia. Today he threatened the ‘gunners’ with Harry Kane and Son in Antonio Conte’s explosive attack.
The city, pending the result of Arsenal-Tottenham, could be the leader. Pep Guardiol, who will be out of action against central defender John Stones for two weeks after being injured in the England team’s match against Germany, praised United yesterday: “We have to play a perfect game. They have quality up front, physicality and quality in the middle with Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes, physicality with Casemiro and McTominay. I always expect the best from them.”
Guardiola, pending television
United, coming off a four-game winning streak after their terrible start, will try to stop Erling Haaland, who has been unstoppable with 11 Premier League goals since arriving at City. The Norwegian giant, with his 1.94, will face Lisandro Martínez, who is 1.75, but Pep emphasized the Argentine central defender: “The important thing is to be smart, brave. He’s a fantastic, aggressive player.”
Ten Hag supports Maguire
Erik ten Hag, United coach revealed that captain Harry Maguire is out after returning injured from the England team and defended him from criticism: “I support him because I believe in him, we all believe in him. I told him and I am convinced that he will turn this situation around.”
Source: La Verdad
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