Jack Grealish has spoken positively about two Arsenal stars as Manchester City get ready to host the Premier League frontrunners and cautioned his teammates that they will encounter a 'more experienced' Gunners team than before.
The upcoming match at the Etihad Stadium is anticipated to be a pivotal fixture of the 2023-24 season, as Man City aims to surpass Arsenal in their pursuit of a fourth consecutive league title.
Barring the Following a 1-0 loss at Arsenal in October, Manchester City has an impressive record against Mikel Arteta’s team and triumphed 4-1 in this same matchup last season.
That outcome virtually ended Arsenal’s commendable title challenge, with Man City subsequently claiming the league title with a five-point lead while achieving a historic treble.
The Gunners have once again posed a title challenge this season, and Grealish believes Man City will encounter a 'more experienced' team due to the recent additions of England star Declan Rice and Champions League victor Kai Havertz.
'Clearly, they have brought in Declan [Rice] and [Kai] Havertz, both of whom are currently performing exceptionally well,' Grealish stated to Manchester City’s official website.
'They may have a bit more experience than last season. In both this season and last season, they had a youthful squad, and last season marked their first substantial participation in a title race, so this year they might possess some additional experience.'
'Currently, it's all about our performance, and if we secure a victory in the match, it will place us in a strong position.'
While Man City could potentially overtake Arsenal by Sunday evening, Arteta’s team will move four points ahead of the reigning champions if they achieve consecutive victories against the European champions.
The Gunners last clinched the Premier League title in 2004 but have been making significant strides under Arteta and travel to the Etihad having only failed to secure a win in eight of their 28 league games this season.
'We must emerge victorious. We are currently trailing behind them,' added Grealish, who has been sidelined for a month with a groin injury but resumed training this week.
'We recognize that it will be a challenging match, yet I have the belief that when teams visit the Etihad, we consistently pose a tough challenge for them.
'I don’t think we've suffered a defeat at the Etihad in about 16 months or so. It's a match that we eagerly anticipate and desire to participate in. I am eagerly anticipating it.'
Manchester City is not only striving to secure a fourth consecutive Premier League title but also to achieve back-to-back trebles prior to a Champions League quarter-final versus Real Madrid and an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
Grealish asserts that City possesses the 'talent' and 'drive' to establish further historical milestones but is cautious of looking too far into the future.
'As a team and as a club, we are currently focused on taking one game at a time,' remarked the 28-year-old.
'I understand that's what everyone says, but we genuinely are. It was the same situation last year. We weren’t considering whether we could achieve the treble or not.'
'It was more similar to focusing on each game in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League finals at the end. We’re just dealing with each game as it happens.
'We definitely have the skill, the determination and the team to achieve it. We have the top manager globally. Hopefully, we can have a productive last few months of the season.'
.
.
