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Bundesliga 2025-26: Union Berlin loses on Marie-Louise Eta debut as Wolfsburg secures 2-1 win Union Berlin slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday, as new interim coach Marie-Louise Eta became the first woman to lead a Bundesliga men’s side and began her tenure with a loss.Eta, the club’s former Under-19 coach, was appointed interim manager last week following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart. She will remain in charge of the men’s first team until the end of the season before moving to the club’s women’s side.She had already made history as the first female assistant coach in the German top flight with Union in 2023, and her latest appALSO READ: Coventry City returns to the Premier League after 25 yearsRelegation-threatened Wolfsburg took the lead in the 11th minute through Patrick Wimmer. Dzenan Pejcinovic doubled the advantage a minute after halftime to put the visitors in control.Union pulled one back late through Oliver Burke in the 86th minute but could not find an equaliser.Published on Apr 18, 2026 #Bundesliga #Union #Berlin #loses #MarieLouise #Eta #debut #Wolfsburg #secures #win

Bundesliga 2025-26: Union Berlin loses on Marie-Louise Eta debut as Wolfsburg secures 2-1 win

Union Berlin slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday, as new interim coach Marie-Louise Eta became the first woman to lead a Bundesliga men’s side and began her tenure with a loss.

Eta, the club’s former Under-19 coach, was appointed interim manager last week following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart. She will remain in charge of the men’s first team until the end of the season before moving to the club’s women’s side.

She had already made history as the first female assistant coach in the German top flight with Union in 2023, and her latest app

ALSO READ: Coventry City returns to the Premier League after 25 years

Relegation-threatened Wolfsburg took the lead in the 11th minute through Patrick Wimmer. Dzenan Pejcinovic doubled the advantage a minute after halftime to put the visitors in control.

Union pulled one back late through Oliver Burke in the 86th minute but could not find an equaliser.

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#Bundesliga #Union #Berlin #loses #MarieLouise #Eta #debut #Wolfsburg #secures #win

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Union Berlin slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday, as new interim coach Marie-Louise Eta became the first woman to lead a Bundesliga men’s side and began her tenure with a loss.

Eta, the club’s former Under-19 coach, was appointed interim manager last week following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart. She will remain in charge of the men’s first team until the end of the season before moving to the club’s women’s side.

She had already made history as the first female assistant coach in the German top flight with Union in 2023, and her latest app

ALSO READ: Coventry City returns to the Premier League after 25 years

Relegation-threatened Wolfsburg took the lead in the 11th minute through Patrick Wimmer. Dzenan Pejcinovic doubled the advantage a minute after halftime to put the visitors in control.

Union pulled one back late through Oliver Burke in the 86th minute but could not find an equaliser.

Published on Apr 18, 2026

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Chinese military holds joint drills in East China Sea after MSDF’s Taiwan Strait transit<div> <p>The Chinese military sent naval and air forces for “joint combat readiness patrols” in the waters and airspace of the East China Sea on Saturday, a day after a Japanese warship transited the Taiwan Strait.</p><p dir="ltr">The exercises were “a routine arrangement organized in accordance with the annual plan, aiming at testing the joint operations capabilities,” Senior Col. Xu Chenghua, a spokesperson for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement. </p><p dir="ltr">Xu said the Eastern Theater Command “will routinely organize relevant military operations based on the need of the security situation, and safeguard state sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability.”</p> </div>#Chinese #military #holds #joint #drills #East #China #Sea #MSDFs #Taiwan #Strait #transitChina, PLA, East China Sea, Taiwan, defense, Defense Ministry, SDF, CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS, TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS

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Deadspin | Pirates turn to ace Paul Skenes against Rays Apr 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (left) shakes the hand of manager Don Kelly, right, upon accepting his Cy Young Award from owner Bob Nutting before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Rays at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images A day after he was presented his 2025 National League Cy Young Award, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will be on the mound to face the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon. Skenes (3-1, 4.00 ERA), who will oppose fellow right-hander Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 1.13) on Saturday, was presented the award by 1990 Cy Young winner and former Pirates ace Doug Drabek before the Pirates’ 5-1 win over Tampa Bay. Skenes, who is 1-0 with an 0.64 ERA in two career starts against the Rays, has pitched more like a Cy Young winner since his disastrous Opening Day outing against the New York Mets in which he gave up five runs and didn’t survive the first inning. He is 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA in his three starts since then, allowing just six hits — including two solo home runs — striking out 17 batters and walking five. In his most recent start, against the Washington Nationals on Monday, he allowed a solo home run to CJ Abrams with two outs in the first and did not allow another hit over his six-inning start in the Pirates’ 16-5 victory. A major difference for Skenes this season has been the Pirates providing significant run support. Pittsburgh scored only 11 runs in Skenes’ 10 losses last season. This season, they have scored a combined 25 runs in the innings before Skenes has exited his four starts and have scored seven or more runs in every game he’s started. Against Washington on Monday, the Pirates scored 15 runs over the first six innings. “I told the guys after the game, ‘It makes it easy to pitch,'” Skenes said. “Even if I’m not getting it while I’m in the game, being out there pitching and knowing that it’s going to happen at some point makes it a lot easier to pitch.” Rasmussen, an All-Star last year, is settling back into his normal pitching routine after a hectic 10-day period that followed the birth of his daughter. Rasmussen was scratched from his scheduled start on April 7 when his wife went into labor, and he spent the next four days on the paternity list and the family medical emergency list. Rasmussen made a decision to pitch last Sunday against the New York Yankees without much time to prepare. He threw a gem in which he tossed six shutout innings and allowed one hit, no walks and struck out seven on 76 pitches in beating the Yankees 5-4. “Stevie (his wife) and I ultimately decided maybe a little bit of normalcy would be nice,” Rasmussen said about choosing to come back early and pitch last Sunday. “Just kind of trying to focus on execution, putting a little bit more weight on (catcher Hunter Feduccia’s) shoulders and just taking it pitch by pitch. I don’t know if I shook off (Feduccia’s pitch call) once, in all honesty.” Rasmussen said his wife, newborn daughter, and their son are all home, and he was able to resume his normal routines this week. The Rays lost Rasmussen’s first two starts despite him not allowing more than one earned run over five innings in each outing. He has 17 strikeouts, one walk, and am 0.56 WHIP over 16 innings. His next task will be to get the Rays back on track after they had their six-game winning streak snapped on Friday. Rasmussen is 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in six career appearances vs. Pittsburgh, including one start. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Pirates #turn #ace #Paul #Skenes #RaysApr 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (left) shakes the hand of manager Don Kelly, right, upon accepting his Cy Young Award from owner Bob Nutting before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Rays at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

A day after he was presented his 2025 National League Cy Young Award, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will be on the mound to face the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon.

Skenes (3-1, 4.00 ERA), who will oppose fellow right-hander Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 1.13) on Saturday, was presented the award by 1990 Cy Young winner and former Pirates ace Doug Drabek before the Pirates’ 5-1 win over Tampa Bay.

Skenes, who is 1-0 with an 0.64 ERA in two career starts against the Rays, has pitched more like a Cy Young winner since his disastrous Opening Day outing against the New York Mets in which he gave up five runs and didn’t survive the first inning. He is 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA in his three starts since then, allowing just six hits — including two solo home runs — striking out 17 batters and walking five.

In his most recent start, against the Washington Nationals on Monday, he allowed a solo home run to CJ Abrams with two outs in the first and did not allow another hit over his six-inning start in the Pirates’ 16-5 victory.

A major difference for Skenes this season has been the Pirates providing significant run support.

Pittsburgh scored only 11 runs in Skenes’ 10 losses last season. This season, they have scored a combined 25 runs in the innings before Skenes has exited his four starts and have scored seven or more runs in every game he’s started. Against Washington on Monday, the Pirates scored 15 runs over the first six innings.


“I told the guys after the game, ‘It makes it easy to pitch,'” Skenes said. “Even if I’m not getting it while I’m in the game, being out there pitching and knowing that it’s going to happen at some point makes it a lot easier to pitch.”

Rasmussen, an All-Star last year, is settling back into his normal pitching routine after a hectic 10-day period that followed the birth of his daughter. Rasmussen was scratched from his scheduled start on April 7 when his wife went into labor, and he spent the next four days on the paternity list and the family medical emergency list.

Rasmussen made a decision to pitch last Sunday against the New York Yankees without much time to prepare. He threw a gem in which he tossed six shutout innings and allowed one hit, no walks and struck out seven on 76 pitches in beating the Yankees 5-4.

“Stevie (his wife) and I ultimately decided maybe a little bit of normalcy would be nice,” Rasmussen said about choosing to come back early and pitch last Sunday. “Just kind of trying to focus on execution, putting a little bit more weight on (catcher Hunter Feduccia’s) shoulders and just taking it pitch by pitch. I don’t know if I shook off (Feduccia’s pitch call) once, in all honesty.”

Rasmussen said his wife, newborn daughter, and their son are all home, and he was able to resume his normal routines this week.

The Rays lost Rasmussen’s first two starts despite him not allowing more than one earned run over five innings in each outing. He has 17 strikeouts, one walk, and am 0.56 WHIP over 16 innings.

His next task will be to get the Rays back on track after they had their six-game winning streak snapped on Friday. Rasmussen is 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in six career appearances vs. Pittsburgh, including one start.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Pirates #turn #ace #Paul #Skenes #Rays">Deadspin | Pirates turn to ace Paul Skenes against Rays Apr 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (left) shakes the hand of manager Don Kelly, right, upon accepting his Cy Young Award from owner Bob Nutting before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Rays at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images A day after he was presented his 2025 National League Cy Young Award, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will be on the mound to face the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon. Skenes (3-1, 4.00 ERA), who will oppose fellow right-hander Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 1.13) on Saturday, was presented the award by 1990 Cy Young winner and former Pirates ace Doug Drabek before the Pirates’ 5-1 win over Tampa Bay. Skenes, who is 1-0 with an 0.64 ERA in two career starts against the Rays, has pitched more like a Cy Young winner since his disastrous Opening Day outing against the New York Mets in which he gave up five runs and didn’t survive the first inning. He is 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA in his three starts since then, allowing just six hits — including two solo home runs — striking out 17 batters and walking five. In his most recent start, against the Washington Nationals on Monday, he allowed a solo home run to CJ Abrams with two outs in the first and did not allow another hit over his six-inning start in the Pirates’ 16-5 victory. A major difference for Skenes this season has been the Pirates providing significant run support. Pittsburgh scored only 11 runs in Skenes’ 10 losses last season. This season, they have scored a combined 25 runs in the innings before Skenes has exited his four starts and have scored seven or more runs in every game he’s started. Against Washington on Monday, the Pirates scored 15 runs over the first six innings. “I told the guys after the game, ‘It makes it easy to pitch,'” Skenes said. “Even if I’m not getting it while I’m in the game, being out there pitching and knowing that it’s going to happen at some point makes it a lot easier to pitch.” Rasmussen, an All-Star last year, is settling back into his normal pitching routine after a hectic 10-day period that followed the birth of his daughter. Rasmussen was scratched from his scheduled start on April 7 when his wife went into labor, and he spent the next four days on the paternity list and the family medical emergency list. Rasmussen made a decision to pitch last Sunday against the New York Yankees without much time to prepare. He threw a gem in which he tossed six shutout innings and allowed one hit, no walks and struck out seven on 76 pitches in beating the Yankees 5-4. “Stevie (his wife) and I ultimately decided maybe a little bit of normalcy would be nice,” Rasmussen said about choosing to come back early and pitch last Sunday. “Just kind of trying to focus on execution, putting a little bit more weight on (catcher Hunter Feduccia’s) shoulders and just taking it pitch by pitch. I don’t know if I shook off (Feduccia’s pitch call) once, in all honesty.” Rasmussen said his wife, newborn daughter, and their son are all home, and he was able to resume his normal routines this week. The Rays lost Rasmussen’s first two starts despite him not allowing more than one earned run over five innings in each outing. He has 17 strikeouts, one walk, and am 0.56 WHIP over 16 innings. His next task will be to get the Rays back on track after they had their six-game winning streak snapped on Friday. Rasmussen is 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in six career appearances vs. Pittsburgh, including one start. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Pirates #turn #ace #Paul #Skenes #Rays

Flavio Cobolli ended top seed Alexander Zverev’s Munich Open title defence on Saturday, as the Italian eased past the World No. 3 in straight sets to reach the final.

Fourth seed Cobolli beat the home favourite 6-3, 6-3 in just under 70 minutes in their semifinal.

The 23-year-old’s commanding performance dashed Zverev’s hopes of a record fourth title on the clay in Munich.

Cobolli will face either second seed Ben Shelton of the United States or Slovak qualifier Alex Molčan in Sunday’s final.

“One of my best matches ever against one of my closest friends on tour,” Cobolli said. “I’m a little bit shy when I play a top player, but today I played one of my best matches and I’m really happy.”

ALSO READ: Italy to host grasscourt ATP event prior to Wimbledon from 2028

Cobolli took control early, breaking Zverev to love in the fourth game of the opening set.

Zverev struggled to make an impact on Cobolli’s serve, and when the World No. 16 broke again in the first game of the second set, the match began to slip away from the German.

Two powerful crosscourt forehands, followed by a crisp volley to close out the seventh game, handed Cobolli a double break and the opportunity to serve for the match.

Zverev briefly fought back, earning his first break points of the contest and converting on his second attempt to delay the inevitable.

However, Cobolli regained control in the next game, earning match point with a forehand on the run before Zverev miscued a deep return to seal the result.

Cobolli advances to his second final of the season and will look to add to the title he won in Acapulco in February.

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#Cobolli #downs #World #Zverev #reach #Munich #final">Cobolli downs World No. 3 Zverev to reach first Munich final Flavio Cobolli ended top seed Alexander Zverev’s Munich Open title defence on Saturday, as the Italian eased past the World No. 3 in straight sets to reach the final.Fourth seed Cobolli beat the home favourite 6-3, 6-3 in just under 70 minutes in their semifinal.The 23-year-old’s commanding performance dashed Zverev’s hopes of a record fourth title on the clay in Munich.Cobolli will face either second seed Ben Shelton of the United States or Slovak qualifier Alex Molčan in Sunday’s final.“One of my best matches ever against one of my closest friends on tour,” Cobolli said. “I’m a little bit shy when I play a top player, but today I played one of my best matches and I’m really happy.”ALSO READ: Italy to host grasscourt ATP event prior to Wimbledon from 2028Cobolli took control early, breaking Zverev to love in the fourth game of the opening set.Zverev struggled to make an impact on Cobolli’s serve, and when the World No. 16 broke again in the first game of the second set, the match began to slip away from the German.Two powerful crosscourt forehands, followed by a crisp volley to close out the seventh game, handed Cobolli a double break and the opportunity to serve for the match.Zverev briefly fought back, earning his first break points of the contest and converting on his second attempt to delay the inevitable.However, Cobolli regained control in the next game, earning match point with a forehand on the run before Zverev miscued a deep return to seal the result.Cobolli advances to his second final of the season and will look to add to the title he won in Acapulco in February.Published on Apr 18, 2026 #Cobolli #downs #World #Zverev #reach #Munich #final

Italy to host grasscourt ATP event prior to Wimbledon from 2028

Cobolli took control early, breaking Zverev to love in the fourth game of the opening set.

Zverev struggled to make an impact on Cobolli’s serve, and when the World No. 16 broke again in the first game of the second set, the match began to slip away from the German.

Two powerful crosscourt forehands, followed by a crisp volley to close out the seventh game, handed Cobolli a double break and the opportunity to serve for the match.

Zverev briefly fought back, earning his first break points of the contest and converting on his second attempt to delay the inevitable.

However, Cobolli regained control in the next game, earning match point with a forehand on the run before Zverev miscued a deep return to seal the result.

Cobolli advances to his second final of the season and will look to add to the title he won in Acapulco in February.

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#Cobolli #downs #World #Zverev #reach #Munich #final">Cobolli downs World No. 3 Zverev to reach first Munich final

Flavio Cobolli ended top seed Alexander Zverev’s Munich Open title defence on Saturday, as the Italian eased past the World No. 3 in straight sets to reach the final.

Fourth seed Cobolli beat the home favourite 6-3, 6-3 in just under 70 minutes in their semifinal.

The 23-year-old’s commanding performance dashed Zverev’s hopes of a record fourth title on the clay in Munich.

Cobolli will face either second seed Ben Shelton of the United States or Slovak qualifier Alex Molčan in Sunday’s final.

“One of my best matches ever against one of my closest friends on tour,” Cobolli said. “I’m a little bit shy when I play a top player, but today I played one of my best matches and I’m really happy.”

ALSO READ: Italy to host grasscourt ATP event prior to Wimbledon from 2028

Cobolli took control early, breaking Zverev to love in the fourth game of the opening set.

Zverev struggled to make an impact on Cobolli’s serve, and when the World No. 16 broke again in the first game of the second set, the match began to slip away from the German.

Two powerful crosscourt forehands, followed by a crisp volley to close out the seventh game, handed Cobolli a double break and the opportunity to serve for the match.

Zverev briefly fought back, earning his first break points of the contest and converting on his second attempt to delay the inevitable.

However, Cobolli regained control in the next game, earning match point with a forehand on the run before Zverev miscued a deep return to seal the result.

Cobolli advances to his second final of the season and will look to add to the title he won in Acapulco in February.

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#Cobolli #downs #World #Zverev #reach #Munich #final
Deadspin | Top clubs collide as Arsenal visit Manchester City Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Mandatory Credit: Lee Smith-Reuters via Imagn Images The Premier League title could well be on the line when leaders Arsenal visit second-place Manchester City on Sunday. In fact, that’s exactly how City manager Pep Guardiola sees it. “If we lose, it’s over,” Guardiola said Friday. “They are so strong in all departments. Duals, physicality. If you allow them to make a good process by not being aggressive they make a good build-up.” Both teams can still control their own destiny with a victory, given that City (19-5-7, 64 points) has one more match remaining than the Gunners (21-4-7, 70 points). But a loss would leave Guardiola’s men with nine points to make up in six matches, a nearly impossible task without an Arsenal collapse of historic proportions. Yet the mood around the first-place North London club has been one of nerves over the last month, during which a combination of other competitions and the March international window has limited both clubs to only one league game. Those came last weekend, when Arsenal suffered a stunning 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth the day before City earned a 3-0 win at Chelsea. City also beat the Gunners 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in the Carabao Cup Final on March 22 on Nico O’Reilly’s second-half brace. And Arsenal have the decisively longer injury list, one that again includes striker Bukayo Saka (lower body) and midfielder Martin Odegaard (knee), two players who have worn the captain’s armband in recent matches. Both teams also still have other competitions to think about: City an upcoming FA Cup semifinal against Southampton and Arsenal a UEFA Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid. Given that context, Guardiola’s counterpart, Mikel Arteta, appeared to disagree slightly with the City manager’s assertion that this game could unilaterally decide the title. “I don’t know, there are six games to go,” he said. “It’s a really important one for both teams, and it will incline the balance a little bit, but winning a game in the Premier League is so tough for everybody, so after this one, they will still have some very difficult matches for all of us, and we’ll have to wait and continue whatever happens.” If Guardiola’s squad has a weakness, it is that it remains too reliant on striker Erling Haaland for goals. The Norwegian international has 22 in the league, one ahead of Brentford’s Igor Thiago for the league lead. But he has found the net only once in his last five league appearances as City has taken 11 points, settling for draws against Nottingham Forest and West Ham prior to the win over Chelsea. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Top #clubs #collide #Arsenal #visit #Manchester #CityManchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Mandatory Credit: Lee Smith-Reuters via Imagn Images

The Premier League title could well be on the line when leaders Arsenal visit second-place Manchester City on Sunday.

In fact, that’s exactly how City manager Pep Guardiola sees it.

“If we lose, it’s over,” Guardiola said Friday. “They are so strong in all departments. Duals, physicality. If you allow them to make a good process by not being aggressive they make a good build-up.”

Both teams can still control their own destiny with a victory, given that City (19-5-7, 64 points) has one more match remaining than the Gunners (21-4-7, 70 points). But a loss would leave Guardiola’s men with nine points to make up in six matches, a nearly impossible task without an Arsenal collapse of historic proportions.

Yet the mood around the first-place North London club has been one of nerves over the last month, during which a combination of other competitions and the March international window has limited both clubs to only one league game.

Those came last weekend, when Arsenal suffered a stunning 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth the day before City earned a 3-0 win at Chelsea.


City also beat the Gunners 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in the Carabao Cup Final on March 22 on Nico O’Reilly’s second-half brace.

And Arsenal have the decisively longer injury list, one that again includes striker Bukayo Saka (lower body) and midfielder Martin Odegaard (knee), two players who have worn the captain’s armband in recent matches.

Both teams also still have other competitions to think about: City an upcoming FA Cup semifinal against Southampton and Arsenal a UEFA Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid.

Given that context, Guardiola’s counterpart, Mikel Arteta, appeared to disagree slightly with the City manager’s assertion that this game could unilaterally decide the title.

“I don’t know, there are six games to go,” he said. “It’s a really important one for both teams, and it will incline the balance a little bit, but winning a game in the Premier League is so tough for everybody, so after this one, they will still have some very difficult matches for all of us, and we’ll have to wait and continue whatever happens.”

If Guardiola’s squad has a weakness, it is that it remains too reliant on striker Erling Haaland for goals.

The Norwegian international has 22 in the league, one ahead of Brentford’s Igor Thiago for the league lead. But he has found the net only once in his last five league appearances as City has taken 11 points, settling for draws against Nottingham Forest and West Ham prior to the win over Chelsea.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Top #clubs #collide #Arsenal #visit #Manchester #City">Deadspin | Top clubs collide as Arsenal visit Manchester City Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Mandatory Credit: Lee Smith-Reuters via Imagn Images The Premier League title could well be on the line when leaders Arsenal visit second-place Manchester City on Sunday. In fact, that’s exactly how City manager Pep Guardiola sees it. “If we lose, it’s over,” Guardiola said Friday. “They are so strong in all departments. Duals, physicality. If you allow them to make a good process by not being aggressive they make a good build-up.” Both teams can still control their own destiny with a victory, given that City (19-5-7, 64 points) has one more match remaining than the Gunners (21-4-7, 70 points). But a loss would leave Guardiola’s men with nine points to make up in six matches, a nearly impossible task without an Arsenal collapse of historic proportions. Yet the mood around the first-place North London club has been one of nerves over the last month, during which a combination of other competitions and the March international window has limited both clubs to only one league game. Those came last weekend, when Arsenal suffered a stunning 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth the day before City earned a 3-0 win at Chelsea. City also beat the Gunners 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in the Carabao Cup Final on March 22 on Nico O’Reilly’s second-half brace. And Arsenal have the decisively longer injury list, one that again includes striker Bukayo Saka (lower body) and midfielder Martin Odegaard (knee), two players who have worn the captain’s armband in recent matches. Both teams also still have other competitions to think about: City an upcoming FA Cup semifinal against Southampton and Arsenal a UEFA Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid. Given that context, Guardiola’s counterpart, Mikel Arteta, appeared to disagree slightly with the City manager’s assertion that this game could unilaterally decide the title. “I don’t know, there are six games to go,” he said. “It’s a really important one for both teams, and it will incline the balance a little bit, but winning a game in the Premier League is so tough for everybody, so after this one, they will still have some very difficult matches for all of us, and we’ll have to wait and continue whatever happens.” If Guardiola’s squad has a weakness, it is that it remains too reliant on striker Erling Haaland for goals. The Norwegian international has 22 in the league, one ahead of Brentford’s Igor Thiago for the league lead. But he has found the net only once in his last five league appearances as City has taken 11 points, settling for draws against Nottingham Forest and West Ham prior to the win over Chelsea. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Top #clubs #collide #Arsenal #visit #Manchester #City

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