We all knew that Rodri was going to miss the match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but another midfielder that Manchester City could not call upon was Kevin De Bruyne.
It was really not talked about much in the build-up to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City in North London on Sunday.
A lot of the discussion on City’s side was about who was going to replace Rodri in the starting lineup at the Emirates Stadium.
The Spain international defensive midfielder was suspended.
Rico Lewis was being tipped to replace Rodri in the team against the Gunners.
It was actually Portuguese attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva who played in the number 6 role.
I found it a strange call from Pep Guardiola.
City lost 1-0 to Arsenal.
Gary Neville on Manchester City missing Kevin De Bruyne vs Arsenal
While analysing the match, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville noted that City missed Kevin De Bruyne as well as Rodri.
The former Manchester United defender believes that had De Bruyne started the match, then the Belgium international would have made the precise passes that star striker Erling Haaland needed to score.
De Bruyne has been on the sidelines for City since the opening game of the season, but the former Chelsea player is doing well in his recovery from hamstring surgery.
Neville said on his podcast: “De Bruyne is different than any other Manchester City player.
“He is world class.
“His precision is unbelievable. And that game today required precision.
“A lot of erratic forward play of final passes and final moments out there from both teams, whereas actually what De Bruyne does is a polished diamond.
“He would have maybe played that pass. He was the biggest miss, I think, for City.”
My View: Kevin De Bruyne a big miss for Manchester City vs Arsenal
I do not think that Manchester City have missed Kevin De Bruyne that much for most of the season so far.
Now, of course, De Bruyne is one of the best players on the planet and is one of the first names on the City teamsheet when he is fit and available.
However, until recently, the Citizens had been doing well without the injured Belgian.
I do have to admit, though, that De Bruyne could have made a big difference against Arsenal.
Arsenal were defensively very strong against City on Sunday.
Erling Haaland was largely anonymous.
What Haaland needed was a precise pass in a dangerous position.
De Bruyne would have laid it on a plate for him if he were available against Arsenal.
