Sport nationKai Havertz will be ‘exceptional’ for Arsenal, Pep Guardiola insists ahead of Man City showdown
Man City boss praises Arsenal recruitment despite criticism of £65m star
anchester City boss Pep Guardiola has praised Kai Havertz’s arrival at Arsenal ahead of their Premier League title clash.
The Gunners host City on Sunday looking to assert themselves in the early running for the league crown having so far gone unbeaten.
However, Havertz has failed to hit form since signing for Arsenal from Chelsea and was substituted during the midweek defeat at Lens in the Champions League.
Guardiola nonetheless highly rates his rivals’ transfer strategy after their summer deals for Havertz, Declan Rice and David Raya.
“The recruitment they have done is top, exceptional level of players,” he told reporters.
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“The keeper, Havertz, Rice. They are a good team.”
League leaders City hold a one-point lead over Arsenal ahead of Sunday’s game but Guardiola has quelled talk that it could decide the destination of the title.
“Play it down,” he remarked. “The second leg against Arsenal when they come here, it will be different with a lot on the line.
“What I want is to arrive in February qualified for Champions League knockout stages, to be close in the competition, close to top of the league and have the last 10 games [to say]: ‘Let’s go again’.”
Sport nation
Amina Umar