Manchester City take on Arsenal later today at the Etihad Stadium. The Premier League encounter between the two teams is filled with interesting subplots that could be pivotal to today’s result. Erling Haaland’s battle with Arsenal’s defence is just one of many subplots to monitor. Another is who Pep Guardiola picks at right-back for today’s match. That decision could prove to be pivotal in how today’s match pans out.
It is obviously down to a choice between Kyle Walker and Rico Lewis for the right-back position. That’s an obvious call to make. But each player brings their own set of attributes to the role. Both players would have a key role to play if they are given the starting nod by their manager. But they would add vastly different options to City’s play which makes the decision as to who starts at right-back one to watch for.
The strengths of Kyle Walker’s game are well known. His pace and defensive acumen could be of immense value today. Arsenal do possess a potent threat on the counter. With Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli as their wide men Walker’s pace may be crucial to nullifying that threat today. Walker tends to start the big games for Manchester City. If he does start today it is known what he will bring to the world champions.
But Rico Lewis does bring something different to Pep Guardiola’s side. His ability when City have possession is vital to the champions play. That could prove to be crucial if Arsenal play a low defensive block and look to hit City on the break. How Manchester City play in the pockets of space against Arsenal’s defence could be crucial to today’s result. That fact isn’t lost on Pep Guardiola. Speaking before today’s match the City manager was full of praise for Rico Lewis. He told the media: “He’s so good in so many aspects – he always wins the ball, he’s so intelligent defensively and so aggressive one v one. He played against one of the best wingers in Europe and of course he can come in midfield and play, or centrally and arrive in the final third with intelligence and do many things, but he’s a really, really good defender.”
Who Pep Guardiola starts at right-back may provide a clue to Manchester City’s tactical approach against Arsenal today. Both Rico Lewis and Kyle Walker bring their own set of skills to the role. But they are both different types of players and who starts today’s pivotal match will have a key role to play. It’s just one of many interesting subplots in today’s game.
