Man City may debut untested £182m defence vs Arsenal with three key huge doubts
Manchester City prepare for their Premier League clash with Arsenal today as Pep Guardiola waits on positive news on the fitness of Kyle Walker, John Stones and Manu Akanji.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 08: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal clashes with Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on October 08, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola is facing the biggest game of Manchester City’s season without three of his most valuable defenders available.
Players return to the City Football Academy today to begin preparations for the Premier League title showdown with Arsenal, who lead the way a point above the Blues. However, Guardiola has seen his players pick up a number of concerning injuries over the international break, including captain Kyle Walker and influential centre-back John Stones.
Versatile defender Manu Akanji missed Switzerland’s friendly at Ireland with a knock, with all three players doubtful to face Arsenal until they can be assessed by City’s medical staff. All three started the draw at Anfield before the break, but Guardiola may have to turn to a completely untested back line to beat Arsenal if the trio are not able to play.
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Assuming Walker and Stones are not risked, and should Akanji not be available, Ruben Dias would be the most senior defender to be recalled after sitting on the bench at Liverpool. His likely partner would be one of Nathan Ake or Josko Gvardiol – with Ake used more at left-back but perhaps better in the centre oweing to his experience.
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That would leave Gvardiol on the left, as he played at the Emirates in the return fixture, but the Croat has been caught out at times as he adapts to his new position. He is good on the ball, but is still learning the left-back role as Ake did, and because of that he hasn’t quite been as solid on the few occasions he’s played in the centre. But needs must if Ake is needed alongside Dias.
Finally, Rico Lewis would be the outstanding defender to feature having fallen out of favour in recent weeks, consigned to cup games and less-important league cameos. When he has played, he has looked rusty. Even the prospect of two good run-outs for England under-21s was disrupted over the international break when he was called up to the senior squad to replace Walker, without getting on the pitch against Belgium.
Lewis could invert into midfield like Stones or Akanji would, while also providing width if needed. It’s not a perfect back four but Guardiola may not have any choice.
Perhaps not a surprise, City have never fielded a back line of Lewis-Dias-Ake-Gvardiol. The closest they have come is ironically at the Emirates, when Walker played instead of Lewis. City as a whole were a little off it that day, missing the likes of Stones and Rodri. Three of the possible four above have played together in back lines five times this season, but never together.
Still, while Lewis was an academy graduate, the other three defenders cost upwards of £182m, so should be more than ready to step in. They just may be a little short of minutes in their respective positions, and City will hope that the injuries to Walker, Stones and Akanji are not serious enough to keep them out for an extended period of time.
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