Nigel de Jong has fired Manchester City a warning ahead of their clash with Arsenal on New Year’s Day.
Pep Guardiola’s side arrive into the game in incredible form having won their last ten Premier League matches and are now eight points clear of Chelsea in the race for the title.
Arsenal meanwhile arrive into the game on the back of four wins and sit inside the Champions League spots mid-way into the season.
Manchester City arrive into their clash with Arsenal having won Ten Straight League games
Nigel de Jong though has warned City they will need to be at their best against the Gunners
Despite City’s comfortable 5-0 win over Arsenal earlier in the season, De Jong believes the Gunners could provide stern opposition at the Emirates.
He told Ladbrokes, as per the Metro: ‘I can see Arsenal trying to put a fight up against Manchester City this weekend. They’re in a much better position this season than they were when the two sides met at the Etihad.
‘We know that City will be the most dominant force in the fixture, but Arsenal will take a lot of positives into this game, for sure. They’re on a good run, especially at home, they have nothing to lose and they have confidence in the way that they play.
‘It’s not the Arsenal we saw three or four months ago. They have the ability, and like City, form is on their side.
Arsenal lost 5-0 to City earlier in the season but arrive into the rematch on good form
‘Mikel Arteta is doing a great job with the youngsters; he’s given a lot of confidence to Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, with Alexandre Lacazette being the captain now, as one of the club’s more experienced players.
‘Things are clicking into place for them at this point, so in that sense, Man City have got to watch out.’
De Jong played for Manchester City from 2009 to 2012 and was part of their first Premier League title success under Roberto Mancini.
De Jong though still feels Mikel Arteta’s side will struggle to beat the reigning champions
The 37-year-old still feels confident though that his former side can make it 11 wins in a row on Saturday.
He said: ‘I don’t see Arsenal winning the game, especially the way Man City are playing right now. Everybody is coming back from injuries and suspensions, most notably Kevin De Bruyne.
‘Just look at their bench; it’s frightening. Man City will always dominate games, they’ll always see most of the ball and will try and keep it in their opponents’ half. I see the game going in favour of City, but Arsenal will put up a good fight.’
