admin Key talking points as Manchester City take on Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in a huge Premier League clash.
Lucky, lucky Kovacic
Given his recent decisions in the Premier League, Mateo Kovacic must have feared the worst when he used his nails to catch Martin Odegaard during the remainder of a tough first half between Manchester City and Arsenal at Emirates. Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Chelsea’s Malo Gusto received red cards for similar challenges – who lacked intent but still made contact with their opponents. However, VAR decided there was no clear and obvious error, so they decided not to send Kovacic off the field.
If he was lucky to escape with the yellow jersey, he took that luck to the extreme a few minutes later when he pounced and caught Declan Rice late. Michael Oliver immediately called for a foul but made it clear that there would be no booking to the anger of all Arsenal fans, players and managers. Rushing in that way, in those circumstances, is reckless and will not impress Guardiola in the same way that Rodri angered him and got him sent off two weeks ago and missed this match.
But in a week where VAR was at the forefront of debate, its lack of consistency will work in City’s favor at Arsenal as they may have been lucky to keep 11 men on the field. Everyone agrees that Jones and Malo’s Red Devils are tough, so is this VAR a lesson learned? Or are they inconsistent to end a bad week for tech?City has no time to think.
Stones returns to new position
In some ways, John Stones started the new season by finishing his last – deciding a big game as a defensive midfielder. Nearly four months after the Champions League final, Stones had to wait to play again, with his only other outing coming in the Community Shield. An injury disrupted his summer and he is set to return earlier than expected after Pep Guardiola previously ruled him out of the match against Arsenal.
It’s a slightly different role than the Champions League final.In Istanbul, he switched to midfielder from right back. He was a definitive midfielder at Arsenal – and it almost worked. Although Arsenal scored a goal after Stones’ introduction, Man City looked better with Bernardo than Stones in this defensive role. If Rodri is sidelined for longer, the pair will be worth testing as experienced alternatives to the Spaniard.
The fact remains that Man City lost 3/3 matches without Rodri.Guardiola tried three different systems to compensate for his absence, but none of them produced victory. Rodri’s importance has been underlined by his absence – although if the Stones can cover Rodri, he could perhaps end the recent search for a replacement in Rodri’s absence for the time being next time.
Significance in the title race
A draw would be fair at the Emirates. Neither goalkeeper was really tested and the midfielders neutralized each other. But just like in the Community Shield, a late Arsenal shot that went wide of the post was deflected towards Ederson with his wrong foot and sent Arsenal to victory.Arsenal is jubilant, Man City is depressed. But Guardiola and his players insisted this match would not determine the title before the game and repeated that view afterwards.
That’s right, Man City’s 6 points against Arsenal were the decisive 6 points that helped them win the championship. If Arsenal wins both, they will be defending champions and Man City will not have a treble. Arsenal’s reaction to this victory is legitimate.
But City also know that they are only two points behind Arsenal and Tottenham. They could have reduced a much larger deficit in a much shorter time. They will be depressed but not too worried after the late pain. As Guardiola also said, the home match in March will be much more important to win.
Lewis’ biggest start
Every start feels like a new milestone in Rico Lewis’ youthful career, with his midfield selection at Leipzig in the week his biggest start to date – only to be surpassed at the Emirates. This is a player Guardiola praised as one of the best youngsters he has trained on Wednesday, adding that he has the natural ability to slot into midfield unlike, say Phil Foden, who still needs time according to both himself and his manager.
Lewis has been selected to face Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Leeds (away), Newcastle (away), Sevilla in the Champions League and this was his second start against Arsenal. Guardiola clearly isn’t afraid of throwing him into difficult tests, and it was Lewis preferred to Foden in midfield after their partnership in Germany.
Except this wasn’t the same position as Wednesday for the teenager. Pushing further up, Lewis was the ‘number ten’ at times, replacing Julian Alvarez behind Erling Haaland. He’s played in both full-back roles, at number six and eight, and also on right-midfield at times. Is there anywhere he can’t play – and look like he’s been playing there for years?
Alvarez’s new position
Julian Alvarez forced himself back into the starting lineup at Arsenal with a goal and assist in the Champions League off the bench, although he wasn’t in his usual second-striker position. That role went to Lewis, forcing Alvarez out to the right where he was asked to drift inside when Kyle Walker pushed up, and provide width when Walker didn’t.
It was, in effect, the role that Bernardo Silva has looked good in so far this season, and also Phil Foden, meaning Alvarez is now the third player capable of inverting from the wing. This was only his third outing for City on the right wing – despite arriving as a player who played more out wide than through the middle.
And the position change was possible due to Bernardo’s dropping back into defensive midfield as Rodri served his final game out. Bernardo has always looked good in defensive midfield, and was a useful addition to the double pivot, reminding Guardiola that he is another player who can play in a number of positions.
