Nedum Onuoha has suggested that Mateo Kovacic could struggle to play in Rodri’s role for Manchester City against Arsenal.
With Pep Guardiola’s side taking on the Gunners at the Emirates tomorrow, the away side will be without Rodri as he serves the final game of his suspension.
This has since led to one pundit and former City player putting the spotlight on another figure in Guardiola’s squad and what sort of role he could have in tomorrow’s showdown.
Onuoha assesses Kovacic role for Arsenal clash
Speaking in a recent video from the ESPN FC YouTube channel, Onuoha had this to Rodri’s absence and what that could mean for Kovacic.
He said: “I think Rodri missing for City is potentially bigger [than Bukayo Saka being out injured] say if the two of them end up not playing, because in that, you may be looking at someone like Kovacic who doesn’t know exactly how to play those roles in the biggest games for the club because, in fairness to him, he’s not played those games yet.”
Since arriving at the Manchester club back in June from Chelsea in a deal worth £30m, the 29-year-old has featured in eight games in all competitions, starting seven of them.
Having played in a defensive-midfield role on three occasions in the league against Newcastle United, Sheffield United and Wolves, this highlights the experience he has of playing in that position for City.
However, with the treble winners losing the Wolves game, which saw Kovacic play as a defensive-midfielder without Rodri in the side, this shows why Onuoha thinks this could be a problem for City once again against Arsenal.
Moving forward, it’s clear that not having the Spaniard available tomorrow will be a problem for Guardiola and give him a big task to work out how he can get the best out of his side in what is undoubtedly one of their biggest matches of the season so far.
