Pep Guardiola has new Man City undroppable after Aston Villa and Arsenal wins

This season has been one of defensive inconsistencies for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola searches for a settled formula.

In the six weeks of 2023 alone there's been several changes at the back. From Rico Lewis coming into the side and keeping Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo out of the team, to the latter's surprise departure for Bayern Munich last month.

We've seen Nathan Ake go from left back to a central position and the recent use of a back three with Bernardo Silva dropping in to fill the full back role when City are out of possession. But, against Arsenal on Wendesday night as City forged ahead in the title race, one man showed why he should be the first defender on the team-sheet.

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Ruben Dias has had to be patient in recent weeks following his hamstring injury and his start against Aston Villa last weekend was his first since the victory over Brighton and Hove Albion in October. The Portugal international slotted back in as if he'd never been away during the win over Unai Emery's side.

And against the Gunners he took his game to new heights. Alongside his trusted companion Aymeric Laporte, Dias enjoyed a commanding night. He kept Eddie Nketiah quiet and his reading of the game was second to none while he instils a confidence in his team-mates and will surely keep his place for the foreseeable.

Dias was the Premier League's player of the season in 2021 and given his enforced absence, it's easy to forget just how good a player the 25-year-old is. But he gave a clear reminder at the Emirates and while he might not have the starting certainty of Ederson or Erling Haaland, he's staked a claim to be a fixture between now and May.

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