{"id":295486,"date":"2023-10-07T23:28:49","date_gmt":"2023-10-07T23:28:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=295486"},"modified":"2023-10-07T23:28:49","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T23:28:49","slug":"danny-murphy-declan-rice-must-put-frighteners-on-rodris-back-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/danny-murphy-declan-rice-must-put-frighteners-on-rodris-back-up\/","title":{"rendered":"DANNY MURPHY: Declan Rice must put frighteners on Rodri's back-up"},"content":{"rendered":"
Rodri’s absence gives Arsenal a unique chance to shake up Manchester City \u2014 and I hope Mikel Arteta chooses the aggressive option to take advantage.<\/p>\n
We know City are ordinarily the best in the world at building from the back and playing through the lines but Rodri\u2019s suspension makes them more fragile.<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola has a fantastic squad and is a genius at finding solutions but there isn\u2019t anyone as good as Rodri in that position shielding the defence and controlling the game.<\/p>\n
Mateo Kovacic isn\u2019t as physically strong while Kalvin Phillips lacks the same technical excellence.<\/p>\n
In a one-off game like this which could be so important for the title race, Arsenal have to exploit it, particularly as they are at home.<\/p>\n
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Rodri’s suspension for Man City’s trip to Arsenal makes Pep Guardiola’s side more vulnerable<\/p>\n
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Mikel Arteta should push Declan Rice upfield to put the frighteners on Rodri’s replacement<\/p>\n
Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n
The top managers, of which Arteta is one, usually stick to their defined style rather than worrying about the opposition but this is more like a cup-tie where result supersedes performance.<\/p>\n
Arteta should throw a curve ball by pushing Declan Rice further up the field where he can use his athleticism and tenacity to put the frighteners on whoever is given City\u2019s holding role. By being as aggressive, front-foot and energetic as possible, Arsenal can give City problems. Of course, the champions have excellent players and may well get through a high press \u2014 but it\u2019s worth a shot.<\/p>\n
By having Thomas Partey anchoring the midfield, it would allow Rice to be more advanced to disrupt City\u2019s passing.<\/p>\n
There are injury concerns over Bukayo Saka. If he doesn\u2019t make it, I\u2019d put Gabriel Jesus on the right and Eddie Nketiah down the middle. City would be rushed into making passes.<\/p>\n
When Fabio Vieira replaced Saka against Lens, it didn\u2019t work and he wouldn\u2019t be what I was looking for in a match as intense as this one. He is gifted but still relatively lightweight.<\/p>\n
There is a reason no team have won four league titles in a row in 150 years of English football \u2014 it\u2019s b****y hard to achieve! City have three and face a fight to make it four, with Arsenal and Liverpool both excellent rivals. Ultimately it might come down to Guardiola\u2019s players keeping the hunger and desire over several months that earned them the Treble.<\/p>\n
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To have their best chance of victory, Arteta has to make Man City pay for Rodri\u2019s absence<\/p>\n
As an ex-player, I remember the temptation to have a little dip after you\u2019ve been successful. The manager is extremely driven, of course, but the City players will have to really dig in again. I think they can, and probably will, but Arsenal today have to make life as difficult for them as possible.<\/p>\n
I was surprised City let Riyad Mahrez go in the summer when they already knew Ilkay Gundogan was leaving \u2014 they were two important sources of goals.<\/p>\n
Even so, others are stepping into their shoes. Julian Alvarez has started the season on fire \u2014 what a bonus for Pep \u2014 and Jeremy Doku looks as if he\u2019s got an eye for goal. Phil Foden will play more this season and will reach double figures at least. And I\u2019ve not mentioned Erling Haaland yet!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an intriguing match-up at the Emirates. To have their best chance, Arteta has to make City pay for Rodri\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n
It’s All Kicking Off\u00a0is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.<\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify<\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n