Arsenal have seemingly overtaken Manchester City this season, but Pep Guardiola is clearly determined to change all of that.
Manchester City pipped Arsenal to the league title over the past two seasons.
However, Pep Guardiola‘s men have fallen off the edge of a cliff this season, and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side seem to be superior to Man City in every way.
The repercussions of that power-shift have already begun, with Nico Williams apparently preferring a move to The Emirates rather than The Etihad.
It’s time for Pep and Manchester City to get back on track.
The Premier League champions made a big splash in the January transfer window, with numerous statement signings.
And Pep may well have the last laugh over his old friend Mikel Arteta.
Manchester City strike blow to Arsenal with Nico Gonzalez signing
Just a few weeks ago, there were moans and groans coming from the Man City fans in response to claims that Martin Zubimendi could be Arsenal bound.
Why wasn’t Pep leading the race for his fellow countryman?
Arsenal and Manchester City were strongly linked with moves to sign the Real Sociedad star in January.
However, the Gunners are believed to be in pole position in the race for the Spain international’s signature (ESPN).
Zubimendi is clearly a very special player, but Man City may well have upstaged the north London side in the transfer market already.
Pep brought Nico Gonzalez to The Etihad for around £50 million on transfer deadline day earlier this month (BBC).
Zubimendi will cost Arsenal the same, if they do indeed activate his release clause in the summer, but here’s the kicker…he’s three years older than Nico.
The 23-year-old was a groundbreaking signing for City, and he’ll be a key player for Pep’s side, especially with Rodri out of action until the end of the season.
It seems like Man City may well have gone under the radar here, and lowkey got a far better deal than the one the Gunners are plotting in the summer.
Is Nico Gonzalez actually better than Martin Zubimendi?
Both midfielders are obviously very good players.
However, Nico is more physical than Zubimendi, and he makes more of a difference inside the final third.
Over the past year, the 23-year-old Man City star is in the 91st percentile in world football for assists, 73rd for non penalty goals, 85th for successful take-ons and 86th for touches in the opposition’s penalty area (FBREF).
He’s also in the 97th percentile for aerial duels won. The Spanish midfielder is superior to the Real Sociedad man in all of those categories.
Martin Zubimendi has bagged just six goals and six assists in 121 games since the start of the 2022/23 season.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez has 10 goals and 10 assists to his name during the same period, but in 25 less games than the 26-year-old.
Nico Gonzalez is clearly better going forward than Zubimendi, and in fairness to the Sociedad star, he plays in a much more defensive role than the new Manchester City recruit.
However, during the 4-0 win over Newcastle, the former Barcelona academy graduate proved that he can operate as a No.6 as well.
He’s clearly perfectly suited to Premier League football, and Pep Guardiola will be delighted with the midfielder’s performance on Saturday.
It seems like Manchester City may well have got one over Arsenal in the transfer market.
