Manchester City will form a guard of honour for record goalscorer Sergio Aguero against Arsenal – and their three members of England’s triumphant Under-17 World Cup side.
Aguero became City’s all-time leading scorer in midweek, his strike in the 4-2 Champions League win away to Napoli taking him clear of Eric Brook on 178 goals for the Blues.
And to pay tribute to the 29-year-old’s record-breaking feat, City have invited their leading goalscorers from seasons past to form a guard on honour for him ahead of tomorrow’s game against Arsenal.
City greats including Colin Bell, Dennis Tueart, Shaun Goater and Paul Dickov will be among those lining up on the pitch to pay tribute to Aguero at the Etihad Stadium before kick-off.
Supporters will be urged to take their seats early for the pre-match ceremony, which will also see City’s members of England’s Under-17 World Cup-winning squad honoured for their recent triumph in India.
Midfielder Phil Foden, who scored twice in the final and was voted player of the tournament, goalkeeper Curtis Anderson and skipper Joel Latibeaudiere will also be paraded to City fans to mark their historic feat.
City boss Pep Guardiola said Aguero deserves to be saluted for becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer and said it was only a matter of time before he claimed the record outright.
“It wasn’t relief,” said Guardiola. “I said many times that sooner or later he was going to break it, when he had one or two goals left to get the record.
“He was focused on winning the game, he was focused on doing what we have to do for him, for his team-mates and the club.
“It’s good news for him. It’s a big achievement and he has to be so proud of what he’s done, his family, too.”