"There’s no doubt about that" - Alan Shearer makes interesting prediction for Manchester City vs Arsenal
Alan Shearer has backed Arsenal to nick a draw when they collide with Manchester City in a top-of-the-table clash at the Etihad on Sunday (September 22). The Cityzens have made the perfect start to the Premier League campaign, but the Gunners are two points behind after four games.
Shearer insists Mikel Arteta's side will be happy to take a point. The Newcastle United legend told Metro:
"If you offered Arsenal the option to go to the Etihad and get a point like they did last year, they’d snap your hands off. They don’t need to go there and win."
Shearer emphasized the visitors' defense and how they are possibly the best defensive unit in the English top flight. He's particularly excited about one matchup that is set to take place on Sunday:
"In William Saliba, you have a very good defender, there’s no doubt about that and Saliba v Haaland is one of the battles that I’m really looking forward to watching."
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes kept Haaland quiet both home and away last season. The Norweigan striker barely got a sniff, but he's in terrific form, posting nine goals in four league outings.
"You’ve got one of, if not the best centre-forward in the world and you’ve got one of, if not the best centre-half in the world, so it’ll be a fantastic, intriguing battle. The winner on Sunday could come from the battle Haaland has with those two centre backs."
Shearer explained why he sees the two likely title rivals settling on a draw:
"I am going for a draw in this one. It’s a long week with both teams having played in the Champions League as well, so a draw for both teams isn’t a bad result, even though Man City are at home."
Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0 at home last season before a 0-0 stalemate at the Etihad in March. The north Londoners will be without their captain, Martin Odegaard, who is out injured.
Mikel Arteta ruled Martin Odegaard out of Arsenal's encounter with Manchester City
Arteta gave an ominous update on Odegaard's injury after the international break. The Norweigan playmaker sprained his ankle while on international duty with Norway in the UEFA Nations League. His club manager said (via Manchester Evening News):
"After recent scans, the scans showed that he's got some damage, especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle. It's something quite significant so we're going to lose him for a while."
Odegaard has been vital for the Gunners since joining from Real Madrid three years ago. Arteta alluded to this with the Manchester City game on the horizon:
"He's our captain. He's been one of the biggest and best players in our team. Our identity is very linked to how he plays and behaves. It's a big test for the team to see how able we are to show a different face."
It will be vital for Arsenal to deal with Manchester City's midfield, which includes Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Ilkay Gundogan, who are in form. Arteta does have Declan Rice back after the English midfielder served a one-game ban.