In order to limit the impact of Bukayo Saka during Wednesday’s titanic match against league leaders Arsenal, former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy wonders if Pep Guardiola will make a significant move at Manchester City.
According to statistics website Transfermarkt, despite his illustrious career in the top division, Kyle Walker has never once played left-back.
But with Guardiola having confirmed that Nathan Ake, his first-choice left-sided defender, won’t be available at the Etihad Stadium when Mikel Arteta’s team visits, Murphy questions whether the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager will pull off the kind of tactical surprise that he made his calling card during a highly successful coaching career.
The only Man City defender quick enough to stop Arsenal’s talisman in his tracks, according to Murphy, may be Walker.
The former Liverpool star speculates that the manager “might throw Kyle Walker at left-back” on talkSPORT (April 26, 10am). “Just to put a stop to Saka.”
When Man City plays Arsenal, how will Guardiola stop Bukayo Saka?
Due to his lack of Premier League experience, Sergio Gomez may be too risky to play against what is perhaps the league’s most feared winger. Murphy continues, “And Aymeric Laporte lacks the necessary speed to deal with the jet-heeled Saka.”
This season, Arsenal’s number seven has 14 goals and 11 assists across all competitions. Saka was essential to the Arsenal’s comeback victory over Southampton on Friday as well. In a tense 3-3 draw with Ruben Selles’ bottom-of-the-table team at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners displayed both their strengths and their shortcomings.
Arsenal has now played three straight league games in a tie. During what is certain to be a heated match between the league’s two heavyweights in England’s north west, Murphy would not be surprised to see the Gunners make it four in a row.
“Man City is not as intimidating a location as Anfied. It’s not like a cauldron, either. Murphy continues, “If you were going to Anfield, you would think, ‘No chance.
However, I don’t believe City loses. There is a slim possibility that Arsenal will draw and maintain their lead in the title battle.