'Vulnerability' - Kris Boyd has 'real worry' for Man City ace, Arsenal must target him
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Credit: Imago / Sky Sports News
Harri Burton
Sat 20 September 2025 14:50, UK
Pep Guardiola might need to tinker with his starting lineup after what was said about one of his Man City stars ahead of facing Arsenal.
Man City come into the game after beating Napoli in the Champions League, a game which they totally dominated following Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s sending-off for hauling down Erling Haaland.
Sadly, Kevin De Bruyne was sacrificed as a result of the red card, ending his fairytale return to the Etihad Stadium, having left as a free agent in the summer, and the Citizens never broke a sweat during the clash.
However, Man City must now face Arsenal as the Premier League title race opens up, and with just six points from four games, Guardiola will be desperate to get the better of Mikel Arteta.
For the Citizens to claim victory on Sunday, 21 September, though, one of their new signings who starred against Napoli could be targeted as a weak point by the Gunners.
Abdukodir Khusanov has struggled.
(Credit Imago)
Kris Boyd pointed out Abdukodir Khusanov as City’s biggest weakness ahead of the clash on Sunday, suggesting that he could be targeted by Arteta.
“It was from being so solid, and you look at that back four, there’s a vulnerability about it.
Ait-Nouri is injured, and Khusanov is a real worry,” he said live on Sky Sports News (20 September, 1:21pm).
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“He’s a young boy who is taking time to settle, but he’s a real worry for me.
If Arsenal can get at that back line…” as Boyd alluded to the Uzbekistan international being a weak point for the Citizens.
Credit: Imago
The centre-back played the full 90 minutes against Napoli at right-back, hardly putting a foot out of line at the Etihad Stadium, but taking on the Gunners at the Emirates is a very different task for the youngster.
Against the 10 men of Napoli, Khusanov completed 99 per cent of his attempted passes, had a long-range shot, took 93 touches, made eight passes into the final third, and won two ground duels [FotMob].
He also kept a clean sheet against Man United, deputising in the right-back position once again, so Boyd might be underestimating the 21-year-old ahead of the huge clash on Sunday.
Khusanov could be coming up against Gabriel Martinelli, who was Arteta’s hero during the Gunners’ midweek win over Athletic Club, so that could be a key battle on City’s right flank.
It has been a tough few months in England for the young defender, but if he can prove himself against Arsenal, he may see himself get more minutes in the starting lineup this season.