In An Alternate World
Today's clash between Man City and Arsenal is definitely going to be a blockbuster. With so much at stake, more than enough has been written and said about this titanic clash.
While some people focused on the bond between Guardiola and Arteta, others reflected on how individual battles could determine the outcome of the encounter. The physical battle between Haaland and Gabriel will be important; the ones involving flying wingers and fullbacks is definitely crucial.
However, the one that has dominated people's minds the most is the direct battle between two of the best midfielders in the league, Rice and Rodri. This matchup is crucial because both teams depend on their midfield to squeeze the life out of the opposition.
And with Rodri's all round displays this season, he has become the chief driver of City's plots. In fact, stop Rodri and you'd probably have Guardiola and his boys begging for their lives.
And for Arsenal, Rice has been immense. Before his move to North London, I never really saw what the fuss was about him. Yes, he's good, but so was Kalvin Phillips until he swapped Leeds for Manchester and became a classic joker.
I've seen a lot of players choked when they make the switch to bigger clubs and stadiums. Thus, I no longer believe in the hype until highly rated players with small clubs do it consistently on the grandest stage of them all.
However, that's not to say a player that failed in a big team is not good enough. A lot of factors contribute to a player's failure that more than meets the eyes. Let's just keep it at that. So, for me, the jury was still out on Rice until he got to Arsenal and took to their pattern like he's been there all his life.
Honestly, I am impressed. He has infused physicality and bite into the Arsenal midfield that has suffered more ignominy than any top team in England for being a flaky team with a soft underbelly. In short, he's improved Arsenal.
So, while everyone was waxing lyrical about how tasty the Rodri-Rice matchup will be, a thought dropped into my mind: what if Guardiola had signed Rice last summer and taken him to Manchester? In an alternate world, how will a Rodri-Rice midfield combination pan out?
Based on what both players have shown so far and how important they are to their teams, if Rice joined City ahead of Arsenal last summer, we probably wouldn't be talking about a top of the table clash right now. That's how immense Rice has been for Arsenal.
But then, Arsenal competed admirably last season without Rice. Wouldn't it be silly to attribute their title charge to the impact of Rice?
The fact remains that Arsenal surprised us all last season. Despite all their wonderful, gutsy displays it was glaring they weren't equipped to win the league. And they did revert to the mean at some point, their losses to City in the league showing they are still not it.
This season, they have beaten City and are given a chance to get a result at the Etihad today because of the improvement and maturity they've shown. Rice has played a crucial part in ensuring that.
So, what would a Rodri-Rice midfield look like?
For one, it will be dominant. With Rodri's ball handling skills, his teams will always dominate possession. Rice has shown himself to be capable with the ball too. Also, both players are physical. So the idea of out-muscling them is dead on arrival.
Anyway, I don't have to give myself a headache while trying to explain what will not happen. A Rodri-Rice combo is a dream that will not come to reality, at least with both of them in their primes. Except maybe if Guardiola leaves City, convinces Arteta to leave Arsenal's job for City's. And then, Arteta drags Rice alongside him to City. Well, that's a scenario that will not happen. So, Arsenal fans can chill before cussing me out.
As for the match proper, as sad as this is to say, I think City have the edge in this one. I won't even bother to explain how or why. The fact that I dropped both Arsenal assets to the bench and started both City's assets, captaining one, in my FPL clearly shows how I think this game will go. For the sake of us all, I hope I'm proven wrong.
Well it didn't go as you thought. But that makes two of us, it didn't also go as I thought. Howbeit I stand on the opposite end.
I watched Brighton vs Liverpool and could easily tell that Liverpool will equalise and should win the game. Why?
You could see the spaces Brighton were leaving, you could see the central defenders were suspect. My mind instantly went to Arsenal, it's like an abomination to see things like leaving spaces for opponents to exploit, it's such a disciplined side without the ball.
So I was expecting a win from the Gunners. I used to tell people that the loses Arteta experienced against City years back was caused by poor mentality, not a lack of quality players to beat City. It's a mind thing.
This team has now come of age against City, because I noticed a proper mental shift had taken place since last season, so I was expecting a victory.
It was an interesting game of chess, as they nullified each other. Two contrasting styles, yet both teams comfortable on the ball.
A couple of years back I would have celebrated this draw, but now the reality of where Arsenal's development is, is that this is not such a big thing.
It is not for nothing that Gary Neville named Saliba the man of the match. It is no secret that he is so important to the success of this Arsenal side.
Saliba won possession more times than any other player on that pitch yesterday and sometimes in his characteristic seemingly effortless style, and often following it up with an extra touch amid the storm to find a team-mate. Oh my!
By the way, this your statement on Kalvin Phillips takes me aback. It's not just you that has said so. But why do people make hasty conclusions?
The guy signed for City, but didn't get sufficient play time, especially as a mammoth Rodri is there. He comes to Westham in January and he isn't convincing, so what's all the fuss about? A guy who hasn't been playing much for years, what is surprising that he isn't clicking yet at Westham?
Even a Partey and Tomiyasu who have played far more regularly than Phillips when at City, came in yesterday and they were shaky at the beginning, Partey didn't even seem to do much throughout.
De Bryune, Salah, would likely have been called flops if they stayed at Chelsea as bench players. If Odegaard stayed at Madrid, he would be on the bench. Infact the press were already calling him a massive disappointment because at age 16, he was announced to the world as a huge upcoming talent.
Odegaard moved and in the process of time we now have a massive leader. Jakub Kiwior's first few matches were not convincing. You need to see me in WhatsApp defending him against several people in a football group. I was like, I saw his matches in the Serie A, he is quality, that we need to be patient.
Today their mouths have been totally shut by Kiwior's performance.
Let's give players a chance please.
The fact remains not every player is meant to shine under the intense scrutiny of the media while playing for big teams. Declan Rice could've easily buckled under the pressure of playing for a big team and also, his hefty price tag. Instead, he excelled way beyond expectations.
As for Phillips, right now he's a joke. He may get to another place and become world class. For now, he's pure joke.
And for clarity sake, the quoted post is more than enough to tell this is not to rubbish Phillip's efforts. But rather to praise Rice's courage in making the very difficult leap and succeeding at it.
If Kiwior waa not a joke,how will Phillips be? I thought my note waa clear.
A guy hasn't been given enough playing tike, can't be called a joke.
You can call Pepe when at Arsenal or Antony of United or Raphinha of Barca, jokes at one time. Those guys like Declan were given sufficient game time to prove themselves, but they didn't. Those guys can be said to have buckled under the pressure of stepping up to a big team, not Calvin Phillips who wasn't even given anything close to sufficient opportunities.
If you don't agree, well that's your view, I stay with mine.
Thanks bro
If Kiwior waa not a joke,how will Phillips be? I thought my note waa clear.
A guy who hasn't been given sufficent playing time, can't be called a joke.
You can call Pepe when at Arsenal or Antony of United or Raphinha of Barca, jokes at one time. Those guys were given sufficient game time(like Declan) to prove themselves, but they didn't. Those guys can be said to have buckled under the pressure of stepping up to a big team, not Kalvin Phillips who wasn't even given anything close to sufficient opportunities.
If you don't agree, well that's your view, I stay with mine.
Thanks bro
Who the hell is Kiwior when I'm talking about Kalvin Phillips? Where was Kiwior when Phillips was playing for England on the world stage? Abeg.
Dude, I'm not interested in your misguided arguments. Phillips spent a year and half at City and couldn't get himself a playing time. He's now at West Ham and stinking all the place with terrible performances for every opportunity he gets. For someone who was once dominant in midfield, he's a joke right now until he gets his head right. If you still do not understand this, then, peace be unto you.
"..Those guys can be said to have buckled under the pressure of stepping up to a big team, not Kalvin Phillips who wasn't even given anything close to sufficient opportunities.
If you don't agree, well that's your view, I stay with mine."
So as stated, I stay with mine.
Cheers
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