Cesc Fabregas is championing Arsenal to deliver a ‘surprise’ performance against their championship adversaries, Manchester City, forecasting a 2-1 triumph for his ex-team at the Etihad Stadium this coming weekend.
Heading into the international hiatus, Arsenal secured the summit of the Premier League standings, following a thrilling victory over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium, marking their eighth consecutive win in the league.
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Despite facing skepticism over their championship mettle after a tough spell of losses during the winter, Mikel Arteta’s squad has bounced back decisively and is poised to make a bold statement in their upcoming match in Manchester on Sunday.
In the previous encounter in north London, Gabriel Martinelli netted the sole goal, leading Arsenal to victory in October’s matchup. Another win would propel the Gunners to a four-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s contingent, the previous year’s triple crown victors.
As the pivotal match approaches, City is grappling with injuries, with key players like John Stones, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, and Manuel Akanji all facing fitness challenges.
On the Arsenal front, there’s concern for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Martinelli’s readiness, but there’s optimism that this vital trio might recover in time to confront the reigning champions.
In his analysis on the Planet Premier League podcast, Fabregas suggested that City’s injury troubles might tilt the scales, positing that Arsenal has ascended a ‘step higher’ than what many supporters might anticipate for this season.
‘I think Pep [Guardiola] always approaches games with the same perception, the same context. To win the game, he will put an offensive team, whoever it is,’ the ex-Arsenal captain said.
‘He’s proven as well that he’s giving opportunities to younger players and he’s not afraid to do that. He’s done it everywhere he’s been. I don’t think this will be an issue for him but it will be more in terms of quality and pace at the back.
‘I think Walker is such a big asset for them because they can play with such a high line when he’s in and they feel so confident to keep pushing because they know they have two or three machines sprinting back when they don’t have the ball, so this will be interesting.
Fabregas added: ‘I think Arsenal have grown so much in the last year with these new two or three additions… they look more solid, they look more mature, their ability to counter-attack, to keep the ball, to defend high, to defend deep. They control a lot of variants now and they are a very, very complete team.
‘They know what it takes to beat Man City because they have done that already so it will be a really interesting game and, definitely, it will be a big challenge for Arsenal, especially to see where they are at this point.
‘But I think they will surprise people because they are a step higher than everybody thinks.’
Asked for his prediction, Fabregas said: ‘I think realistically, and I’m just saying based on what I see and what I feel and the perception that I have from both teams, and the news coming out from injuries and doubts… what I have in my mind is 1-2 to Arsenal.’
According to Fabregas, Declan Rice has proven himself to be the ‘complete package’ and a ‘very big plus’ for Arsenal after his move from West Ham last summer.
‘He’s brought dynamism, physicality, quality, intelligence, maturity. He’s the complete package in midfield, in my opinion,’ the former Spain World Cup winner explained.
‘He can play also as a double-pivot, he can play by himself, he can play higher up as a No.8 and I think he looks like a very intelligent boy.
‘He knows his limitations as well so I feel safe. I see him play and I’m like: “I don’t think this boy will make a mistake in this game!”
‘Listen, I don’t know what will happen on Sunday, but he gives you that trust that, in midfield, in big games, you want players who take responsibility, have personality, players who you can trust, especially against a top Manchester City team when they have so many players in midfield with so much quality.
‘I think Arsenal, Arsenal fans and Mikel, when they have Declan in there they feel safe. That’s a very big plus for the team.’
