Patrick Vieira has spotted one ‘major’ problem at Arsenal ahead of Manchester City clash

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Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira knows what it takes to win big games.

The legendary Frenchman spent nine years wearing the famous red and white and even captained the side to many trophies under Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal take on Manchester City on Sunday, and Vieira feels the Gunners should beat them to have a better chance of winning the Premier League title.

However, the former Arsenal skipper has admitted that Mikel Arteta’s side have suffered a ‘major loss’ ahead of the game at the Etihad Stadium.

Patrick Vieira reacts to Martin Odegaard’s injury ahead of Manchester City vs Arsenal

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is ruled out of the game against Manchester City on Sunday.

The Norway international suffered a terrible ankle injury while playing for Norway against Austria during the international break. Odegaard returned to Arsenal on crutches.

Fans were fearing the worst ahead of the North London Debry, and Arteta confirmed that Odegaard’s injury is significant and he will be out for a while.

Pep Guardiola claimed that he feels sorry for Odegaard ahead of the game at the Etihad. Vieira has now had his say.

The Frenchman believes Odegaard’s unavailability is a ‘major loss’ for Arsenal and has urged other players to take responsibility.

Vieira told The Athletic: “It’s a major loss for Arsenal. He’s not just the captain of the team, he’s the leader on the field, the technical leader on the field.

“When he is on the field, players around him feel more comfortable, as well. He’s the one who dictates the tempo of Arsenal and he’s the one who brings this kind of technical ability, this quality in the last 30 yards to create something.

“But, again, if you want to go until the end, players have to take more responsibility and players have to take on a bit more and we will see what will happen.”

There’s one thing Mikel Arteta should not do vs Manchester City

Arsenal’s game against Manchester City is a really tough one.

The Gunners haven’t won a game at the Etihad since January 2015 – Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud scored in a 2-0 victory for Arsene Wenger’s side in that fixture.

Arteta will be desperate to break that streak on Sunday, and with Odegaard out, he needs to find an alternative to play in the number 10 position.

Against Atalanta, Arteta went with Kai Havertz – the Arsenal boss should not repeat that against Manchester City at the Etihad.

Havertz’s best performances for Arsenal have come as a centre-forward. That’s where he is most effective and that is the position in which he should start against City on Sunday.