"Just one piece away from having the perfect jigsaw" - Pep Guardiola told to block any Arsenal move for Manchester City star
Pundit Scott Minto has urged Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola to keep Julian Alvarez amid Arsenal links. He believes Alvarez would make Mikel Arteta's side complete and pose a great threat to City, should he join them.
Arsenal and Manchester City were involved in two entertaining title races over the last two seasons in the Premier League. However, the Gunners failed to defeat Pep Guardiola's side on both occasions, allowing City to defend their crown.
The Cityzens have seen stars like Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus depart for the Emirates in the past. Reports now suggest that Julian Alvarez would like to leave the English champions as well in search of regular game time, and Arsenal are interested.
However, Minto has warned Guardiola against offloading the striker to the Gunners. The pundit said on talkSPORT:
"It's really interesting to know where he would go if he does leave because Pep has been quite happy to give Mikel Arteta, his former assistant, some players. I think if he gives Julian Alvarez... Surely he can't because we know that Arsenal is just one piece away from having that perfect jigsaw.
"And Alvarez could be that man, especially considering how adaptable he is, how versatile he is, how he can play as a nine, he can play as a No.10, he can play as a false nine, he can play out wide. He can do a little bit of everything going forward. He’s a World Cup winner."
"If he wants to leave for whatever reason, it might be family reasons, I don’t know. But if he does want to go, then where he lets them go, I think, is going to be crucial. [Manchester City] cannot let him go to Arsenal.”
Alvarez has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the UEFA Supercup, and the Club World Cup with Manchester City.
Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez responds to Pep Guardiola's comments about him amid Arsenal links
Julian Alvarez has issued a response after Pep Guardiola commented on his future at the Etihad. The Argentine forward insists that he didn't say anything out of line.
While on international duty with La Albiceleste at the Paris Olympics, Alvarez spoke about his Manchester City future in an interview. He admitted that he needs to assess his options after the Olympics concludes, stating that he was left out in important games for the Cityzens.
Guardiola then spoke about Alvarez's comments at a press conference in the United States during the pre-season. He said:
“He said he’d think about it. When he’s finished, his agent calls Txiki and we see what happens. I know he wants to play important moments but the other ones do too. Okay, think about it and tell us. He plays a lot, he wants more? That’s fine."
Alvarez has now replied to his manager's comments. He clarified that while he is comfortable at Manchester City now, it would be wise to assess his future at the club. He said:
"I heard what Pep said. I didn't say anything bad or out of the ordinary. I always said that I am comfortable at Manchester City but taking stock after the season is something logical."
The Cityzens signed Alvarez from River Plate in January 2022 and he's registered 36 goals and 18 assists in 103 games for them so far.