“You should have come to Man City bro, we will give you trophies here unlike Arsenal”- Manchester City star Ikay Gundogan praises intelligent Arsenal star who broke their heart in the 2021/22 season

“You should have come to Man City bro, we will give you trophies here”- Manchester City star Ikay Gundogan praises intelligent Arsenal star who broke their heart in the 2021/22 season

lkay Gundogan has reserved special praise for Kai Havertz ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Arsenal, highlighting his fellow countryman’s calmness and ‘intelligence’ both on and off the pitch.

The reigning Premier League champions play host to last year’s runners-up in what promises to be an explosive contest at the Etihad and Havertz is likely to play a key role for the visitors this weekend.

Havertz has played up front in all four of Arsenal’s matches in the top flight this term, notching up two goals and an assist for the north London giants, who sit second in the table behind Pep Guardiola’s men.

Gundogan was always confident Arteta would go on and become a top manager after witnessing first-hand the Spaniard’s talents as Guardiola’s assistant at City.

Asked if Arteta is someone he looks up to as a role model, Gundogan replied: ‘Mikel is a very smart person who really knows what he wants and what he has to do to achieve certain things.

‘It was clear to me when I first met him that this was the path he would take. I’m not surprised that he’s doing so well with Arsenal and that they play football at such a high level.

Pep’s influence is obviously very big because Mikel worked with Pep for a number of years. That’s why their style of play is very similar. That’s why this duel is perhaps more interesting than other duels.

He’s really doing a great job and just extended his contract a few days ago. So he’ll stay with Arsenal for a few more years and I’m sure they’ll be in contention for titles in the years to come.

‘If I could follow a similar path to Mikel in the future, that would be a stroke of luck.’

Erling Haaland has enjoyed a barnstorming start to the new season, netting nine times in City’s opening four league games, and Gundogan believes Guardiola deserves great credit for the striker’s continued development.

‘He [Haaland] has immense charisma. When you score so many goals, that aura grows even more,’ the five-time Premier League winner added.

‘He combines almost everything a top striker needs. He has a top finish – both with his feet and his head. He is tall, physically strong, can use his body and is fast.

‘I believe that in the last two years with Pep he has become even more intelligent in his decision-making and in the way he plays. He has taken a clear step forward in that respect.

‘You can’t ask for much more from a striker and in the end the goals speak for themselves.

‘To score nine goals in the first four games is an incredible number of goals.’