The 27-year-old has recorded 18 assists and with two games to go still has a chance of equalling the Premier League record of 20 set by Thierry Henry. And while Villa’s accomplishment 35 years ago pales in comparison to what Leicester just did, there are some solid similarities between the two. They find it very hard to score, especially in the decisive early stages of the game. Sure, the Tractor Boys had some good sides during that era, but neither Liverpool nor Nottingham Forest, the top sides of the era, were able to keep pace with the two true contenders.
Advertisement
Manchester City’s next defeat in the Premier League will be their 250th, becoming the ninth team to reach this milestone.
Nevertheless, the German giants are on the verge of clinching a fourth consecutive Bundesliga title for the first time in the club’s storied history. In mitigation they were playing a team fighting for their lives, but off the back of a 0-0 draw with Sunderland, a team that should be capable of much more, put forth a performance that could, if we’re being kind, be described as perfunctory.
Furthermore, City have lost 23 Premier League matches to the Gunners, more than against any other side in the top flight, while Walcott has netted three times in two fixtures against them. They need to be motivated for this weekend, however, as a win over Man City would not only guarantee them a Champions League spot, it would also mean they finish at least third and avoid the qualifying round.
While Arsenal fans will be pleased with qualification for the Champions League group phase there still remains the small matter of challenging North London rivals Spurs for second place and local bragging rights.
Still, with Pep Guardiola coming in as their new manager and an exciting core of talented players already in place, there’s no need for City fans to doubt the club’s plans for next season. But if this were 2011, not 2016, he’d probably still be at Marseille. With players like Bale and Ronaldo, they can grasp the occasion. But City did have that threat in the past with Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko, which is why I was so surprised when City sold Dzeko last summer but did not replace him.
Manchester City have been dealt a huge injury blow after captain Vincent Kopmany limped out of their clash with Real Madrid. “City can’t say they’ve done that”, Ferdinand told BT Sport. But which players have performed well over the course of the season to get into a combined XI?
Advertisement
MORE: Get TREBLE the odds on any sports bet.
