Manchester City are now unwilling to strengthen the Arsenal squad again after the sales of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to them in the summer of 2022, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The duo joined the Gunners for a combined fee of around £75 million, and they played key roles as Arsenal gave Man City a run for their money in the title race last term.
The North Londoners returned for transfer business last summer and were interested in signing Portugal international full-back Joao Cancelo, but Pep Guardiola’s side were significantly less co-operative and were not willing to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad again.
Things have changed in recent months as Arsenal have established themselves as proper title challengers, and Man City are now aware of the huge threat they pose.
Arteta would have loved to land Cancelo, even on loan, but the reigning champions sent him on loan to Barcelona in a temporary deal and he is unexpected to return having recently slammed Guardiola and the club for how he was treated last season.
The Arsenal manager could be willing to reunite with more Man City players at the North London club, but that will not be happening anytime soon given the situation of things.
Both clubs meet on Sunday at Etihad Stadium in a top-of-the-table clash, and the result is expected to play a huge role in the title race.
Having lost 11 league games out of the 12 they have played against Man City since Guardiola’s appointment in 2016 until the start of last season by an aggregate score of 30-6, Arsenal are finally starting to prove they can become a force to reckon with again following two key victories this term.
Leaving Etihad with a victory will be a huge statement of intent from the Gunners and all eyes will be on them as they look to prove another point again.
