The Manchester City squad knows that Sunday’s clash with Arsenal is a special fixture | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Arsenal tomorrow at the Emirates Stadium. The Premier League fixture will see two of the favourites for this season’s Premier League title meet early in the season. The match isn’t a title decider by any stretch. It comes too early in the season to have such weight attached to it. Instead, the game is an opportunity for Pep Guardiola’s new-look side to test themselves against an Arsenal side that looks to be a genuine title contender. Despite the match between City and Arsenal coming so early in the season, tomorrow’s match is a special fixture. Several Manchester City players have echoed that sentiment ahead of tomorrow’s match.

Several Manchester City players know Sunday’s clash with Arsenal is a big match.

In an interview published on mancity.com, Rodri said that Manchester City’s matches against Arsenal are a special fixture on the calendar. He believed that the fact that two teams had fought it out for the Premier League title before last season made it so. He said: “I didn’t think it was in the past. But in the last few years, we were title competitors, so yes [it is special]. Of course, because we had players that played here, [and] have gone to Arsenal. Mikel [Arteta] was here [as part of Guardiola’s backroom staff] and went there, and it became a bit bigger.”

Phil Foden has said that Sunday’s clash with Mikel Arteta’s side is a massive fixture. He knows that Arsenal will provide a significant challenge for Manchester City to overcome. Speaking on Sunday’s match, Foden said: “Massive game, massive game. We obviously know how difficult Arsenal is; they don’t make it easy for us. Similar to Napoli, they are so hard to break down, but hopefully we can keep patient and pick our moments at the right times. It’s going to be a very good game and a good watch.”

Sunday’s match has plenty on the line despite the game coming so early in the season.

Rodri and Phil Foden have shared their thoughts on Sunday’s match against Arsenal. It is a special fixture played between two teams that respect each other, but seemingly don’t overly like each other. There will be an edge to the meeting between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday. There always is. The fact that the game comes so early in the 25/26 season is irrelevant. It will be a massive match with both sides having an opportunity to take plenty from the match. Arsenal thumped City 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium last season. They’ll be looking to keep their foot on City’s throat so to speak. That result did come in the midst of Manchester City’s poor run of form last season. Pep Guardiola’s side will be looking to build upon the momentum they’ve built up by beating Manchester United and Napoli.

Manchester City versus Arsenal is a special fixture. Phil Foden and Rodri have spelled that out. There is plenty on the line for both teams. Pep Guardiola’s side enters the match in good form but Mikel Arteta’s side will be eager to prove that they’re a level above a new-look City outfit. The scene is set for a special match at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow afternoon.