There is plenty to discuss in Saturday’s City-centric news round-up, ahead of the Premier League Champions’ trip to Arsenal on Sunday...
Match preview
Daily Express: Arsenal record vs Pep Guardiola: Grim reading for Freddie Ljungberg before Man City clash
Lewis Winter: “Guardiola has only managed against one other team on more occasions than the 16 so far against Arsenal - Real Madrid.
“Though Sunday’s match in north London will equal the 17 times he faced Los Blancos during his time at Barca and Bayern.
“It comes as no surprise then that Guardiola has beaten Arsenal more than anyone apart from Athletic Bilbao.
“Both Arsenal and Bilbao have suffered 10 losses against the 48-year-old.
“Arsenal are also the side Guardiola’s teams have scored the most goals against with 37, averaging almost 2.5 goals a game.
“Arsenal have not yet beaten City in the Premier League during that time and also lost the 2018 Carabao Cup final 3-0 at Wembley against the Sky Blues.”
View from the opposition
Sky Sports: ‘Ljungberg expects a tough challenge’
Freddie Ljungberg: “In my opinion they have a very nice game plan. They have played with each other for a very long time so it is almost as if before the ball gets there they know where to move, what rotation to do.
“As an opponent that is quite difficult to play against. I have a strong belief in consistency - the longer you can play with that teammate you know what he prefers, how he moves.
“So, if you have had that for a long time like they have had you become better and better and for us harder and harder to play against.”
Football London: Sokratis identifies why Manchester City clash can see Arsenal ‘explode’ back to life
Sokratis Papastathopoulos: “Sometimes, these games are games where you can explode.
“I think we need one good game in our home to explode and I hope we will have that on Sunday.
“I don’t know if it’s a good time [to play them]. City is, I think, the best team with Liverpool in the Premier League and not just the Premier League.
“They have fantastic players. It will be a very difficult game.”
Transfer gossip
Manchester Evening News: Man City should break transfer mould for £90million defender
Steven Railston: “The perfect candidate for such a move could be Kalidou Koulibaly - and the giant centre half has been subject to interest from Europe’s top clubs over the last few transfer windows and it’s not hard to see why.
“The 28-year-old has consistently delivered outstanding performances for Napoli in the last few seasons and the centre half has made 200 recoveries this campaign while Virgil van Dijk, widely regarded as the Premier League’s best defender, has only made 82.
“Koulibaly is also a pacy central defender, which would make him unique among City’s current crop, and his dominance in the air would also be invaluable to Guardiola’s side
“A January swoop for the Senegalese could prove to be the perfect antidote for City’s defensive frailness however, it’s believed Napoli chiefs wouldn’t sell for anything less than £90million.
“The price tag is the obvious stumbling block, as City have made it clear they won’t splash out and be held to ransom in an increasingly inflated modern-day market.”
Sports Mole: Barcelona youngster Juan Larios ‘heading for Manchester City’
Matt Law: “Barcelona youngster Juan Larios is reportedly on the verge of agreeing a deal with Manchester City.
“The 15-year-old, who largely operates as a left-back, has allegedly turned down the chance to sign a new contract at Camp Nou as he explores his options.
“According to Diario Sport, City are in ‘very advanced’ negotiations with the defender, who would be able to sign a professional contract with the Premier League champions when he turns 16 in January.
“Eric Garcia and Adrian Bernabe have both left the Catalan giants in recent years to join City, and the two Spanish youngsters have already made their first-team debuts for the English club.”
