Arsenal take on Manchester City on Wednesday in a huge clash that could potentially decide the Premier League title.
The Gunners remain on top of the table, sitting five points clear of the Citizens, although the reigning champions have two games in hand on their title rivals. Mikel Arteta’s side had built a much healthier advantage but a slip in form has seen them winless in their last three outings - drawing 2-2 against Liverpool and West Ham United before a 3-3 stalemate with 20th-placed Southampton on Friday.
That disappointment against the Saints makes Wednesday’s trip to the Etihad Stadium a must-win for the north Londoners, who will be desperately hoping William Saliba makes his return to action following a back issue that has kept him out for the best part of six weeks. Ahead of the mouthwatering fixture, City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted that his squad are exhausted before claiming that momentum is more important than how tired you are.
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“It is a final — against a team who has been the best team in England so far,” said Guardiola after his side defeated Sheffield United 3-0 in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.
“The momentum is key — it doesn’t matter if you play every three or four days if you are winning, winning.
“Hopefully all of Manchester will be blue and they can come to support us. We need incredible noise from the first minute to the last as I know which opponent we are going to play against.
“If we win it’s a step to getting it completely in our hands. We have this opportunity and we want to take it. Hopefully the Etihad will be full three hours before kick-off.”
He added: “I wasn’t giving rest because the FA Cup is not important — it’s not about that.
“I saw them tired. Rodri told my staff, ‘I cannot play, I’m devastated’. When that happens, you don’t play.
“I had a feeling with John (Stones) and the other ones. I spoke with Ilkay Gundogan and he said he felt fresh. If you make a lot of changes you drop your level too much.”
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