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"He's going to..." - Neville predicts Guardiola's tactics for Arsenal vs Man City title clash

"He's going to..." - Neville predicts Guardiola's tactics for Arsenal vs Man City title clash

The former Red Devils defender reckons Guardiola will switch things around.

Gary Neville has predicted how Manchester City will line up against Arsenal on Wednesday, believing Bukayo Saka will change their system.

Manchester City travel to the Emirates for a huge Premier League clash against league leaders Arsenal, in what could prove to be a title defining match.

The Gunners' lead at the top was cut by two points on the weekend following a controversial 1-1 draw with Brentford.

Meanwhile, City ran away 3-1 winners against Aston Villa to close the gap to within three points.

Guardiola deployed Bernardo Silva as a defender in the game, baffling plenty of spectators who are used to seeing the Portugal international much higher up the field.

It soon emerged that Silva was effectively playing as a left-back out of possession and then reverting to his central midfield role when City had the ball.

Inverted full-backs have become a feature of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City teams, with the likes of Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko tucking into the midfield when their side are on the attack.

Neville predicts Guardiola's tactics against Arsenal

However, Neville reckons he will revert to an ordinary back four against Arsenal, suggesting the City boss was "making a point" against Villa.

The former Red Devils defender told Sky Sports: "It's almost as if he [Pep Guardiola] is making a point, that you haven't signed me a left-back. Obviously [Oleksandr] Zinchenko was allowed to leave and he's playing now without a left-back."

Neville went on to predict that a recognised defender will be tasked with dealing with Saka on Wednesday.

"I can't think he's going to go to Arsenal on Wednesday, with [Bukayo] Saka playing on that right wing, and not play someone there," Neville continued.

"He's going to have to deal with it at some point during the season, but he's certainly not comfortable at this moment in time.

"He had Bernardo Silva going out there [at home to Aston Villa] and I think that does take away from the balance and the build-up.

"He's said about playing quicker through midfield and I do think they played quicker to the front at times, but I still think the fluidity they would ordinarily have isn't there yet."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Gary Neville, Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Premier League, Football