West Ham United coach Kevin Nolan has suggested that it would be ‘disrespectful’ to Manchester City if Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal doesn’t start Bukayo Saka today.
That’s one of the main talking points heading into Arsenal’s all-important showdown against the Premier League champions.
Bukayo Saka limped off against RC Lens in the Champions League in midweek and now he is touch and go for Manchester City’s visit.
Kevin Nolan, who is part of David Moyes’ backroom staff at West Ham United, lauded the 22-year-old as a player and how Declan Rice only told positive stuff about him, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
That shouldn’t be a surprise given that he is possibly Arsenal’s main player and England’s Player of the Year for 2023.
That’s why Arsenal fans have their fingers crossed that when the teamsheet comes out in a few hours Bukayo Saka is starting.
Will Bukayo Saka start against Man City?
“When you have someone of his ability who plays and performs like he does, week in and week out,” said Nolan.
“Then it’s very hard to think ‘shall we leave him out here?’ Does it show disrespect to the other team? All that comes into play.
“With him, he wants to play. When you see the boy and the way he is. When I was speaking to Dec (Declan Rice) about him when they were on international duty. He spoke so highly of him. His hunger to keep going and doing well.
“For his explosiveness and everything that he brings to the game. He must look after himself and be so mentally prepared and physically to keep on going and do what he has done. In this day and age, it’s unbelievable what he is doing. He is one of Arsenal’s best players, so if he is fit, he plays.”
Arsenal have to win
Pep Guardiola is without a number of key players for their trip to London with Rodri suspended, Kevin de Bruyne seemingly out for the rest of the year, Bernardo Silva still sidelined and John Stones still working his way back to fitness.
Yes, it’s still going to be tough dealing with Erling Haaland and Co.
But given Arsenal’s record against Man City, if they can’t triumph here, then it will prove to be a very early psychological blow.
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