MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 16:23:16| >> :60:134:134:
[monks data]
Attendance: 60,031
Arsenal logo
Premier League
Dec 15, 2019 at 4.30pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

0-3

FT(HT: 0-3)
De Bruyne (2', 40'), Sterling (15')

Pep Guardiola expecting "big test" against Arsenal

Pep Guardiola expecting
© Reuters
The champions travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday expected to get back to winning ways.

Pep Guardiola insists Arsenal's recent problems will not prevent them providing Manchester City with a big test this weekend.

The Premier League champions travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday expected to get back to winning ways after last weekend's damaging loss to Manchester United.

Arsenal have endured a difficult campaign to date, with manager Unai Emery sacked last month and last Monday's victory over West Ham being their only success in 11 matches in all competitions.

The Hammers victory, under caretaker boss Freddie Ljungberg, was also unconvincing, coming against another struggling side.

Nevertheless, Guardiola – with his own side having surprisingly lost four times this term – is taking nothing for granted.

The former Barcelona boss said: "I have not watched the previous games with Unai, I watched the games they played with Ljungberg to try to figure out what they'll try to do.

Freddie Ljungberg
Freddie Ljungberg's Arsenal beat West Ham this week (Adam Davy/PA)

"But normally Arsenal have a typical style of play. If you let them play, they have the quality to play. Arsenal away is always a big test for any team."

Ljungberg is a fans' favourite at Arsenal having been a member of the club's 2004 'Invincibles' side and has lifted the atmosphere in the past four games. Emery's reign had ended in dismal fashion after a run of seven games without a win.

Guardiola said: "It was a position after the Unai Emery situation, the club decided on him, of course a person who has had many years at the club.

"He knows the feelings of the club and the fans, the way they like to play. He made a good result the last weekend so we'll see."

Guardiola's highly-rated assistant Mikel Arteta, another former Gunners player, has been linked with the Arsenal vacancy.

Arteta, 37, was also a contender when Arsene Wenger left last year. Guardiola has said he expects Arteta to become a manager one day, and would allow him to leave with his blessing, but only when he feels the time is right.

Mikel Arteta (left) and Pep Guardiola
Manchester City assistant boss Mikel Arteta (left) has been linked with former club Arsenal (Barrington Coombs/PA)

"You can be 45 years old and believe you are not be ready, or be 35 years old and believe you are ready," Guardiola said. "Only he knows."

City's record goalscorer Sergio Aguero and defender John Stones are still sidelined with thigh and hamstring injuries respectively.

Veteran playmaker David Silva is also a doubt after a blow to the leg in the derby last Saturday.

ID:382892: cacheID:382892:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7956:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal interim manager Freddie Ljungberg pictured on December 5, 2019
Read Next:
Freddie Ljungberg unsure over long-term Arsenal future
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!