Martin Keown described Pep Guardiola’s decision not to start Kalvin Phillips yesterday against Arsenal as ’embarrassing’ for the player.
City crashed to a second straight defeat in the Premier League.
While City had most of the ball yesterday, the quality of chances created was poor.
Arsenal defended well, especially the two centre-halves.
It was frustrating, because David Raya showed some early nerves at the Emirates.
But City couldn’t test the Spaniard properly.
And late in the second-half, Gabriel Martinelli scored with a deflected effort to hand the hosts the win.
It was yet another occasion where City were stung in the absence of Rodri.
Pep chose not to use Phillips as his replacement yesterday, leaving the Stadium Astro pundits puzzled…
Martin Keown says situation for Kalvin Phillips at Manchester City is ’embarrassing’ for him
Yesterday, £45 million signing Phillips didn’t see a single minute.
Mateo Kovacic should have been sent off in the first-half.
Pep surprised a few people when he didn’t take him off at the break.
Then, midway through the second-half, Pep put on John Stones and Matheus Nunes, for Kovacic and Rico Lewis.
Speaking on his lack of involvement, former Gunners defender Keown said (Stadium Astro): “It’s almost embarrassing for Phillips isn’t it?”
Former City midfielder Michael Brown added: “That relationship is going to be so difficult now.”
Kolo Toure then stated that he thinks Phillips’ lack of minutes and rhythm counted against him yesterday for such a big game.
Phillips not playing yesterday says it all
Phillips not playing a single minute yesterday really does tell you all you need to know about Pep’s feelings about the player.
He should be the replacement for Rodri.
He plays the exact same position, just in front of the back four.
But Pep went with Kovacic and Bernardo Silva as his holding pair. And then put Stones and Matheus Nunes on in the second-half.
It’s plain and simply – Pep doesn’t trust Phillips, and now Rodri is back we will only be seeing him for little cameos when games are already wrapped up.
He surely has to try and leave the club in January.
