Manchester, UK: Unbeaten Manchester City’s season shows no sign of losing momentum with 15 wins from 16 in all competitions after Wednesday’s 4-2 Champions League victory at Napoli.
City have not lost a competitive match anywhere since April, but that defeat came in the FA Cup semifinals against Arsenal, the team who visit the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.
Manager Pep Guardiola has said he sees no possibility of City emulating the achievement of Arsenal’s ‘The Invincibles’ of 2003-04, by going through an entire Premier League season unbeaten
“Apart from the defeat at Watford, Arsenal have won a lot of games,” said Guardiola.
“It’s complicated for us. We hope we can recover well after the travel and the game in Naples.
“It’s so tough when you have the Champions League to consider.
“Arsenal played without their real squad on Thursday (Europa League group game against Red Star Belgrade), so they have effectively rested for one week. We will lack energy, so our fans will be important.”
City have scored 35 goals and conceded just six in their 10 league games so far, winning at Chelsea and thrashing Liverpool 5-0 in the process, leaving many rival managers wondering how they might be stopped.
Among the players to have impressed this season is Raheem Sterling, the winger who Arsenal wanted to sign in August, and who might have been allowed to leave had City’s attempt to sign Alexis Sanchez been successful.
Sterling has not been a prolific scorer during his short career, but has seven Premier League goals already this season, a total that only Tottenham’s Harry Kane can better so far.
The winger has another three goals in the Champions League to go with that, including one during Wednesday’s win.
‘Gamble and the risk’ -
Also among the goals in midweek was Sergio Aguero, who finally became the club’s all-time record scorer with his 178th for City.
— AFP
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