Battles to watch out for when the Gunners arrive
senior cap in the build-up to next year’s European Championships.
“If young players have a season in terms of opportunity, like Mason Mount did this year - playing in the Champions League, playing in a top-four side, playing under pressure - then that can be a great development year,” Southgate said.
“It’s quite interesting we are seeing the sort of player like Mason and Phil Foden in that advanced midfield role.
“Phil is definitely a different sort of player, with attributes that are rare in our game and we’ve had such high hopes for him in the
England system for quite a while. It’s great that we are developing these players, but the obvious thing is that he has got to play. If he’s not playing regularly, it’s going to be more difficult for him.
“But if he can break into City’s team, he will clearly be playing at a very high level - and he will be in our squad, without a doubt.”
Foden has been repeatedly earmarked as the successor to David Silva and with the Spaniard leaving after 10 years this summer, the door may finally be open for the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ to stake his claim in the side.
CITY fans have the chance to claim a day of free Premier League action when the top tier returns this week.
The Blues resume against Arsenal on Wednesday and a full round of fixtures takes place over the weekend, with Pep Guardiola’s men back in action on Monday, June 22, against Burnley, before taking on Chelsea on June 25.
Following their FA Cup quarter-final against Newcastle United on June 28, City then face Liverpool on July 2. More of City’s fixtures are set to be confirmed as they face a busy end to the season and some of the club’s fans will have the opportunity to watch a day of action for free.
The Premier League and Sky Sports have teamed up to offer all City season card holders the chance to claim two free NOW TV day passes, with the offer valid between now and the end of the season.
Each pass allows 24 hours of viewing access to all Sky Sports channels via the NOW TV streaming platform.
The Blues’ encounters with Arsenal, Burnley and Liverpool will all be shown live on Sky, with even more games on offer over the next few weeks.
NOW TV is set to show 39 games exclusively to Sky Sports customers, with 25 more matches available on free-to-air channel Pick. The rest of the season’s games will be shared between BT Sport, Amazon Prime and the BBC.
CITY are back in Premier League action on Wednesday as they take on Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
It’ll be the Blues’ first match in almost three months since the suspension of fixtures in March amid the outbreak of coronavirus.
There will be a number of key battles throughout that will be important in deciding the outcome. Here are three that could be crucial...
■ AYMERIC LAPORTE V PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
LAPORTE has established himself as Pep Guardiola’s first-choice defender, despite struggling with injury. He has played just seven Premier League games this season but the extended break has given the Frenchman extra time to get back to full fitness.
He will come up against one of the league’s most in-form strikers in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon international is second in the scoring charts having netted 17 this season, including three in his last three games before the suspension of fixtures.
Aubameyang has played in a more wide position following the arrival of Mikel Arteta as boss, allowing academy graduate Eddie Nketiah to take up the central striking role. But that hasn’t curtailed his goalscoring credentials and Laporte will have to be on guard to stop the Arsenal captain having an effect on the game.
■ SERGIO AGUERO V DAVID LUIZ
ANOTHER impressive season sees Aguero just one goal behind Aubameyang in the scoring charts and three adrift of leader Jamie Vardy.
Should Pep Guardiola decide to go with the Argentinian against Arsenal he is likely to come up against former
Riyad Mahrez has had a better second season at City
Chelsea defender David Luiz, who has been a mainstay in Arteta’s team. The Brazilian can be prone to mistakes and a loss of concentration at times, Aguero will be hoping he can take advantage of that.
■ RIYAD MAHREZ
V BUKAYO SAKA
AFTER a mixed first season at the club, Riyad Mahrez has come into his own at City this season.
The Algerian has already smashed his total number of Premier League assists from the 2018/19 campaign and has equaled his total of seven league goals.
In the absence of Leroy Sane, the 29-year-old has stepped up and provided a bit of magic when needed.
If picked, then Mahrez could come up against makeshift left-back Bukayo Saka, who has impressed in his new role this season.
The teenager has stepped into the position due to injuries to both Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac. His performances could mean he keeps his position in the starting line-up, but he will have to be at his best to stop Mahrez causing havoc.