Lee Dixon has claimed that Manchester City could really miss one of their key players against Arsenal if one of their most “pivotal” figures is injured.
In a game that could be decided by moments, similar to a knockout clash in the Champions League, absentees could have a bearing on the final result as there is not much to split both teams.
For instance, some would argue that William Saliba’s absence for Arsenal in their 4-1 battering to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last season was a huge absence for the visitors.
Lee Dixon says if Kyle Walker is injured, he will be really missed by Manchester City in Arsenal clash
Similarly, the likes of City’s midfield pairing of Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne were unavailable to face the Gunners when they won 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium earlier this campaign.
Especially when big players like Saliba, Rodri and De Bruyne are uninvolved, it will naturally affect any team they play for.
As Kyle Walker picked up a hamstring injury during international duty, Lee Dixon feels that if he does not get fit in time for his side’s contest against Arsenal, Manchester City will well and truly miss his presence.
“Well, firstly, yeah, it’s a big miss if he is missing. He looked like he was struggling with a hamstring, which normally means you’re going to be out for a little while. Maybe he was protecting it, he just felt a little twinge. And once you feel a little twinge there, you can’t really carry on”, he said [via Squawka].
Dixon continued, “So, it would be a big miss because he’s pivotal in how they play. And certainly, the fact that they do take chances at the back, City at times, and he’s one of the defensive safety valves, if you like, to play two-vs-two at times at the back, then his pace is going to be missed.”
It is hard to disagree with Lee Dixon as Kyle Walker is a massive difference-maker for Manchester City and he will be hugely relied upon against Arsenal.
Kyle Walker will have a point to prove on Sunday
If the £50 million man does manage to start against the Gunners, he will have a point to prove.
For a player of his standard, he has struggled in certain big games this season, primarily against Chelsea away and Newcastle at home, which is not what one expects from a defender who often plays at his absolute best against the finest forwards in the league.
As a result, if Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker does end up playing against Arsenal, he will be determined to be one of his side’s “defensive safety valves”, as Lee Dixon stated.
With so much at stake in this upcoming affair on Sunday, the £175,000-a-week (Sport Rac) man will likely have his sights set on reminding the world why he remains one of the best big-game players in the business.
