Man City told absence of three players hampered attacking threat vs Arsenal

Paul Merson says the unavailability of Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne coupled with the decision not to use Jack Grealish meant Manchester City were never going to have as much offensive control against Arsenal on Sunday.

Rodri was sitting out the final of his domestic three-match ban following his red card against Nottingham Forest while De Bruyne is sidelined for a number of months. Meanwhile, Grealish has returned from injury but has not been as effective since his thigh strain and was left on the bench at the Emirates.

Rodri is the vital pivot that breaks up the opposition attacking play before feeding the likes of De Bruyne and Grealish in the final third. City struggled to create openings against Arsenal, although Merson was not surprised given the absence of the aforementioned trio.

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He told Sky Sports: “They were missing Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, one of their best players last season, was a sub and not playing, so I would not have expected them to be peppering Arsenal's goal.

“People are getting carried away, though, as Man City are slow starters. Do not get me wrong, it is game on, as they have just lost again, but they are the only team in the league who can win 13-14 games on the trot when it gets past Christmas.

“Any side that finishes above Man City this season will be league champions. It was always going to be like this though, without Rodri, they have just won the Treble, something that is nearly impossible. And you come back and it is just not clicking at the moment. But it will, I have no doubt about that.”

There have been suggestions that City players