Lee Dixon Claims Guardiola May Trick Arteta As He Previews City’s Clash Against Arsenal

Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon, a boyhood Manchester City fan, believes that his former club needs to be cautious of a tactical surprise from City manager Pep Guardiola when they face off next weekend. In an interview with TribalFootball.com, Dixon expressed his thoughts on how the game could be influenced by Guardiola’s lineup choices.

Dixon pointed out that while City is a formidable team, they can be vulnerable defensively due to their emphasis on dominating possession in midfield. He noted that Liverpool had been able to create chances against City, and he believes that Arsenal and their coach, Mikel Arteta, would have taken note of this.

However, Dixon also acknowledged Guardiola’s penchant for unexpected lineup changes right before kick-off, which could catch opponents off guard. Guardiola has a reputation for taking risks in big games, with his tactics sometimes being criticized for being too complex or overthought. Despite this, his track record of success in important matches speaks for itself.

In terms of betting odds, City are considered the favorites to win the upcoming clash, with bookmakers offering odds of 17/20 for a City victory. A draw is priced at 3/1, while an Arsenal win is at 16/5. If City win, they would move ahead of Arsenal in the league table, pending the result of Liverpool’s match against Brighton.

Overall, Dixon’s insights highlight the potential challenges Arsenal may face against Guardiola’s City and the importance of being prepared for any tactical surprises. The upcoming match promises to be an intriguing battle between two top teams in the Premier League.