Manchester City’s Kyle Walker admitted to feeling apprehensive about facing the 24-year-old Arsenal player.
Ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Manchester City and Arsenal, Kyle Walker from Manchester City has expressed his admiration for an Arsenal player, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter. As Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, crosses his fingers for the fitness of his squad during the international break, the looming matches against Manchester City and Bayern Munich underscore the critical juncture of the season, where any injuries to key players could be detrimental to Arsenal’s ambitions.
Despite initial concerns surrounding the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes following their withdrawal from international duty, it appears they are not significant doubts for the upcoming match against Manchester City. Walker’s recent remarks about Saka on Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE podcast have caught attention, particularly given the impending showdown. Having shared the field with Saka for England, Walker lauded the Arsenal winger for his remarkable accomplishments at such a young age. While acknowledging Phil Foden as the best young player he’s played with, Walker commended Saka for his contributions to the England team and his impressive performance metrics.
Walker’s recognition of Saka’s talent suggests that he acknowledges the threat posed by the Arsenal winger, even though he may be relieved not to face him directly on the pitch. Instead, the challenge for Walker is likely to come from Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard, as they seek to bolster Arsenal’s title aspirations with a significant victory. As fans eagerly anticipate the return of internationals, there is a mixture of hope for the players’ fitness and readiness for the crucial fixture, alongside a palpable sense of anxiety. This sentiment is echoed by a former Arsenal player who has confessed to finding it difficult to watch the club’s matches, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster associated with supporting the team.