Paul Merson has given his take on the player Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will use in place of Rodri against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
As we know, Manchester City defensive midfielder Rodri is suspended for the Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in North London on Sunday.
So, City manager Pep Guardiola will have to find a replacement for Rodri in the middle of the park.
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson believes that Guardiola will use Mateo Kovacic instead of Kalvin Phillips.
Paul Merson on Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips vs Arsenal
The Sky Sports pundit has said that he thought that Phillips would play each and every game for City in the absence of Rodri.
Merson thinks that the £150,000-a-week (Spotrac) 27-year-old England international is the natural replacement for Rodri.
The pundit wrote on SportsKeeda: “I thought Kalvin Phillips would’ve played every game in Rodri’s absence – he seems like the natural replacement.
“It does depend on what Pep Guardiola wants to do – I don’t think he’ll be content with stopping Arsenal’s rhythm.
“He will want to dictate play, and he’ll probably use Kovacic instead.”
My View: Kalvin Phillips will not start for Manchester City vs Arsenal
In my opinion, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will not include Kalvin Phillips in the starting lineup against Arsenal.
Mateo Kovacic has more experience playing in such big games and is probably also more suited to the way that Guardiola will want to play against Arsenal.
City are a ball-possessing side, and Guardiola will want his players to keep the ball.
Kovacic is better than Phillips at keeping possession and at making the right passes.
Moreover, Guardiola has not played Phillips much in the absence of Rodri.
I think it suggests that the City manager does not think that the England international midfielder is that good.
