Manchester City are taking on Arsenal today in their biggest game of the season so far – and one player has come in for high praise ahead of the clash.
Manchester City are looking to make it five wins out of five, and put some daylight between themselves and Arsenal in the Premier League table.
Arsenal are already two points behind City, after recently dropping points against Brighton.
City drew 0-0 with Inter in midweek and will be keen to get back to winning ways.
Arsenal also drew 0-0 in their opening Champions League game with Atalanta, and would love to beat City at the Etihad.
Most of the talk has been about Erling Haaland in the build-up to this game, but Ilkay Gundogan also just came in for praise on Sky Sports.
Ilkay Gundogan branded ‘a superstar’ ahead of Man City v Arsenal
Gundogan’s return to City still hasn’t sunk in for a lot of fans.
The German maestro came back to the club after a surprising turn of events in the summer, with Barcelona needing to offload him due to his high wages.
They had also signed Dani Olmo, who will have been competition for Gundogan.
City were more than happy to take him back, especially with Julian Alvarez having just been sold to Atletico Madrid.
Gundogan was talked up on Sky Sports ahead of today’s game between City and Arsenal, with Paul Merson and Roy Keane both big fans of his.
Merson said: “For a free transfer, every club in the world would take him. I think he’s a superstar, I’m a big, big fan of his.
Keane added: “Yeah he’s obviously a brilliant player and a smart cookie. He played a lot of games last year for Barcelona, it’s not like he’s kicked a ball for six months.
“He’s been playing regularly, so I think it’s a no-brainer.”
Sam Allardyce recently stated that Gundogan was a great signing for City due to having ‘the overall package’.
Gundogan will be important for City this season
It certainly was a no-brainer for City to bring Gundogan back for this season.
Once it became clear that £230,000-a-week star was available and was open to coming back, City just had to do it.
He just offers such brilliant versatility, and is also obviously a big leader and someone all the players already have a great deal of respect for.
To bring him back for no transfer fee was great business, and Gundogan will no doubt prove his worth in 2024/25.
