Pep Guardiola has proved he can be trusted on Phil Foden Man City debate

Phil Foden has often been a player for the big games in a Manchester City shirt but, as Pep Guardiola's side prepare to face Arsenal in a Premier League top of the table clash this week, the forward may well find himself among the subs.

He has not completed 90 minutes in the league since before the World Cup and has only started 13 league games this season. Guardiola left him out of the squad at Spurs before he came off the bench in the win over Aston Villa at the weekend.

Foden seems to have fallen behind both Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez in the pecking order in recent weeks. We take a look at the reasons why?

Season so far

Considering he's made 28 appearances and is City’s third top scorer with nine goals, it's not been a bad return for the forward. Guardiola described him in 2019 as 'the most talented player' he had seen at his age and there were signs of that talent earlier in the season.

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He netted an impressive hat-trick in the 6-3 demolition of Man United and his combination with Erling Haaland for his second and third goals appeared to be an ominous sign for the rest of the league. Yet since then, Foden has played 90 minutes just once in the league and prior to the World Cup questions were being raised as to why one of England’s brightest sparks was not starting matches.

Guardiola's justification was protecting Foden and managing the career of the 22-year-old. He is, after all, still a young player, even if it's hard to comprehend given the magnitude of games he has under his belt.

This term, like seasons before, Foden has played off both flanks and shifted within games to accommodate Grealish and Mahrez. The Stockport born