The first game of the Champions League is followed by a battle for the top spot, and it is inevitable that you will be absent-minded.
As a result, the two protagonists of the battle for the top of the table will inevitably think of each other when facing Serie A opponents who are also wearing blue and black stripes in the Champions League. Therefore, Manchester City and Arsenal played a 0-0 game with a clear heart, and prepared for the weekend's top table game on a fair footing.
In terms of lineup, Manchester City injured De Bruyne in the Champions League, including Bob who was injured in the preseason and Ake who was injured during the international break, and three people were missing; Arsenal broke Merino in training, Odegaard was injured during the international break, and with the unavailable Tierney and Zinchenko, it was confirmed that four players would not be available.
The core of the offensive organization of both sides, the captains are all exempt from battle due to injuries, and the number of injuries is also half a catty to eight taels, which is still fair.
Coincidentally, the top game of the two teams ushered in the return of strong reinforcements - Arsenal is the ace defender Rice who returns from the ban, and Manchester City is the world's first Rodri to return to the team. Rock vs. Shield, the pinnacle battle of the top two midfielders in today's football, is naturally worth paying attention to.
Last season, Rodri was suspended for a rampage and missed the away game against the Gunners, resulting in a tragic defeat for the Blues; The European Championship final was played early due to injury, and the result was that Spain won the cup; The only time he played the whole game was a dull draw with the Gunners at home, and after the game, the murderous phrase "I didn't want to win at all" came out......
This is the first game of the Premier League season at the top of the table, but whether it will be the last will depend on how Pep Guardiola dismantles Arteta's bus. The situation in the standings is very clear, Manchester City won all 4 games with 12 points, Arsenal won 3 games, drew 1 and scored 10 points - Manchester City won, the gap widened to 5 points, and the Premier League title situation this season is very likely to run in the direction of a desperate ride; Arsenal won, overtaking Manchester City by 1 point to reach the top of the table, and the championship battle began; A draw, continuing the old playbook of Manchester City's lead.
There are three outcomes: win, draw, and loss, and the most likely outcome is a draw. In the north London derby and the first game of the Champions League, Arteta has already proved his skill in swinging the bus, with Rice, Saliba and Raya as the central axis of the back, without diamonds, it is simply impenetrable.
Mikel Arteta has been in charge of the Gunners for five years, and has made nine more than nine moves with Pep Guardiola in the Premier League, with a record of 1 win, 1 draw and 7 defeats, which is completely at a disadvantage. However, Arteta's ability to stop a seven-game losing streak against Pep Guardiola with one win and one draw last season was already the beginning of a qualitative change.
Of course, in this battle for the top of the table, in addition to the master-apprentice battle between Pep Guardiola and Arteta, the peak duel between Rodri and Rice, and the return of the old man of Gabriel Jesus, Zinchenko and Sterling. Taking the opportunity of Manchester City's generous send-off Jesus that year, Arsenal replaced Liverpool as Manchester City's biggest rival in the Premier League - fighting Manchester City until the last minute for two consecutive seasons, not to mention without the credit of Manchester City's maintenance.
After Sterling went around in circles, from west London to north London, the happy trio of the Blue Moon came together at the Gunners, Zinchenko was out of action, but Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling were likely to come off the bench and they faced Haaland, who had squeezed them out in the first place.
Haaland has been practicing his shooting skills hard this summer, scoring 9 goals in 4 games in the opening stage of the Premier League, and his form is so hot that it is bursting, but even so, there are still many doubts about his invisibility and soft feet in the decisive battle. In the first match of the Champions League against Inter Milan, Haaland was difficult to do under the close monitoring of Abichel, and he was almost invisible in the second half. This battle for the top spot is another big test for him.
In this battle for the top spot, whether Pep Guardiola is superior or Arteta is blue, only depends on the result. But if Pep Guardiola can dismantle Arteta's bus, the title race for the Premier League this season may be out of the question.
Football Professional Level 8 Exam Questions: Can Haaland score in this game?