Reunion at the Etihad

In the stands of the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, ‘Stand up for the champions’ was heard again. As the match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton had barely started on Sunday, the ‘citizen’ fans reacted, as their coach had requested, Pep Guardiola. Everyone understood this as an immediate response to the complaints of the Catalan coach for not encouraging the team enough, at the times when they needed it. And it is that this year there are unusual nerves in the City, and more especially in its coach, because of the irregular inertia that his team has, either because of the fatigue of some internationals, or because of the five points gained by Arsenal. from him, who is now, trained by his friend Mikel Arteta, will visit, for the first time as rivals, the Etihad, in the fourth round of the FACup. A very special exam for everyone.

The provocation of Guardiola it took effect. The stadium stands roared again, as a prerequisite for the club to be surrounded again by the atmosphere of passion it had in its early years, when they had yet to win four leagues. Tonight, when he faces Arsenal, the unstoppable leaders of the Premier, he will have the chance to discover if the ‘citizen’ is whole again or if it is an ephemeral mirage. The party assumes reunification in between Guardiola Y Artetafront, three years after he left the City.

Arsenal’s successful manager today began his first steps on the bench as a technical assistant at Guardiola, and a valuable piece, for his tactical knowledge of English football. too Artetaformed in La Masia as Guardiolawhere they formed their friendship, always recognizing its influence on the vision of football that both shared, as disciples of the ideas of Johan Cruyff. Guardiola Y Arteta they have never crossed paths. Now their teams are fighting for the Premier title, separated by five points, but it is the current champion, City, who is on the couch, psychoanalyzing doubts to maintain the strong rhythm of the applicant, some ‘gunners’ outstanding .

If there is one thing that is clear, it is that if Arsenal manage to maintain the intensity that their players showed against Manchester United, it will be very difficult to dislodge them from the lead. He pointed that out too Pep Guardiola, recognizing the ‘hunger’ that Arsenal are showing on the field, City are now gone, after winning four titles in five seasons. The other certainty is that Arsenal’s youngsters have courage and personality. The goal scored by the English winger moreover Against United, when the game called for action with character, he showed the confidence of the ‘Gunners’ players to make things happen. They keep attacking, again and again, without giving up, believing in themselves. That’s why the 3-2 goal from Nketiawhich also represents his tireless fighting spirit, until the final whistle.

Tonight’s match at the Ettihad also brings another reunion, that of the Ukrainian Zinchenkoalong with the ‘citizen’ fans, who now miss him. Zinchenko Y Gabriel Jesuswhich was replaced by Guardiola in the City, they also want to join the project of Mikel Arteta at the North London club. They asked for a transfer and Guardiola he agreed to send them away. Neither he nor anyone else expected that, in the short term, the two players would become an integral part of the main rival, especially the Ukrainian full-back, because Jesus He started the season in great condition, but returned injured after the World Cup.

Because of his versatility and ability to mingle with his peers, Zinchenko he was instrumental in many of the games Arsenal won, and his tactical influence served to consolidate control of the midfield. A key for Arsenal that the rivals still failed to prevent today. His understanding of the Swiss xhaka on the left side he provides great consistency, when Arsenal dominates the ball, and creates decisive superiority in the barrage attacks of his forward.

Innovations and strategies by Arteta, who is also a great expert in the ins and outs of Manchester City, which have to prevent Guardiolaarmed, yes, with his scorer Haaland more deadly. This is the first of three to come (February 15, at the Emirates, and April 26, again in Manchester) between City and Arsenal. On the pitch and in the benches, a tactical duel is drawn with new sensations, which will have their answer in the loud and boisterous atmosphere expected tonight at the Etihad.