Rayan Cherki’s winter to spring surge powers Manchester City ahead of Arsenal | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki has become Manchester City’s driving force as they chase a domestic treble, with Arsenal visiting on Sunday at 17:30. According to L'Équipe, the 22-year-old France international has rebounded from a tricky winter and now directs City’s play under Pep Guardiola.

He spent much of the winter on the bench, and a thigh knock in the 2-2 draw at Tottenham in early February lingered. Cherki kept his focus and worked his way back into contention.

After being a substitute at Newcastle in the Cup, a 3-1 win, he was again benched for Real Madrid on eleven March, a 0-3 defeat he had expected to start. That night underlined that a front line packed with wingers was no solution.

Following further tweaks, Guardiola returned on four April, in a 4-0 Cup quarter-final at Liverpool, to a four-two-three-one with Cherki as a free No 10. Feeling fully fit for about a month, he has rarely been withdrawn before late, and Guardiola has praised his free spirit.

He supplied two assists in last Sunday’s 3-0 win at Chelsea, taking him to 10 in the Premier League, second on the list and eight behind Bruno Fernandes. He is eyeing Dimitri Payet’s 12 and Juan Mata’s 13 in debut-season assists, targets that could help City close a six-point gap to Arsenal with a game in hand.

Source: L'Équipe