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‘The best’… Pundit picks 23-year-old Man City star ahead of ‘fantastic’ Arsenal player in combined XI
Anton Ferdinand has suggested that he has to leave one Arsenal player out of his combined XI with Manchester City despite him being absolutely ‘fantastic’ this season.
The Premier League certainly returns with a bang this weekend. Arsenal are top of the table, having not dropped a point in the top-flight since the turn of the year.
But it remains a three-way fight, with Manchester City and Liverpool also involved. And it is Manchester City who now face the task of trying to take points off Mikel Arteta‘s side this weekend.
Arsenal have done amazingly well to move themselves alongside the best in the division. And with that, there will be plenty of debate in the days to come about who would get into a combined XI made up of Arsenal and Manchester City players.
Some decisions seem easy, such as the striker role. But others are much more challenging – and that may include the number 10 position.
Anton Ferdinand picks between Phil Foden and Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard has six goals and six assists in the Premier League this season. Meanwhile, Phil Foden has 11 goals and seven assists.
Those numbers do not tell the full story. But speaking on , Anton Ferdinand suggested that he would opt for the Manchester City man in his combined side.
“He’s been the best in the 10. I’m going Foden over Odegaard this year. I am,” he said.
“Foden has grabbed games by the scruff of the neck and won it on his own. Listen, De Bruyne hasn’t played, he’s been injured. That’s why he’s been there.
“On a serious note, I’m looking at this year. I think Odegaard’s been fantastic. But the team’s won games. Foden has won games on his jacks.
“By the way, the main man’s been out and you’ve got to take his position. That’s why I’m going Foden.”
Arsenal captain could definitely be a game-changer against Manchester City
It is unfair to say that Odegaard has not won games on his own. He was a man possessed in the first-half against Porto in the last 16, setting up Leandro Trossard brilliantly for the goal which levelled the tie.
He has become more and more of a leader. So the criticism does seem a little unfair. And you would imagine that plenty of Arsenal fans would come to a different conclusion when it comes to fitting Odegaard into a combined side. Funnily enough, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland noted recently that Odegaard would strengthen Pep Guardiola’s side.
Foden has been unbelievable at times this season. His performance turned around the recent Manchester derby.
You could definitely make a case for either player. And his co-presenter notes that you could include both alongside Bukayo Saka.
Certainly, they are amongst the contenders to steal the show when the two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.