Michael Brown commended Manuel Akanji for his exceptional performance in Manchester City’s Tuesday night victory over Brentford, which narrowed the gap at the top of the Premier League to just one point. Erling Haaland secured the sole goal of the game at the Etihad Stadium, marking his 17th Premier League goal of the season and extending his scoring streak against every Premier League opponent faced.

Appearing on City’s Matchday Live show on YouTube, former City midfielder Michael Brown expressed his satisfaction with City’s performance, highlighting their patience against a resilient Brentford side that had their entire team behind the ball for most of the game. Despite the challenging defensive setup, Haaland’s second-half goal sealed the win. Brown particularly praised Akanji, who unexpectedly started as a left-back.

Akanji, earning £180,000 per week, is more accustomed to playing in the middle or occasionally on the right, making his left-back role a surprise. As Akanji walked past him towards the tunnel, Brown acknowledged his contribution, saying, “There he is. Played in a left-back position (tonight). It’s not easy to do, stepping forward. His shot as well… he deserved it (man of the match).”

While Haaland dominated headlines with the decisive goal, Akanji’s standout performance in an unusual position did not go unnoticed. Despite his limited experience at left-back, Akanji displayed remarkable comfort in the role, showcasing excellent ball distribution and posing an attacking threat. His long-range shot in the first half and well-placed deliveries demonstrated his versatility.

With solid left-back options like Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake, Akanji’s seamless adaptation to the position adds depth to Pep Guardiola’s choices. The Swiss international’s versatility provides City with a reliable option on the left side of defense.

Manchester City’s Anticipated Starting XI vs Arsenal

Injury Updates and Tactical Adjustments

Ahead of the clash against Arsenal, Guardiola faces injury concerns and tactical decisions.

Defensive Adjustments

• Injuries: Guardiola confirmed John Stones and Kyle Walker’s absence due to injuries. However, Ederson’s recovery is promising.
• Possible Adjustments: Manuel Akanji might replace the injured Kyle Walker at right-back, with Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake likely retaining their positions.

Midfield Dynamics

• Midfield Stability: Rodri is expected to anchor the midfield, while Bernardo Silva’s experience could see him start alongside Kevin De Bruyne, who missed the last match due to injury.

Attacking Configurations

• Flank Dynamics: Phil Foden could shift to the right flank, possibly with Bernardo Silva moving into midfield.
• Forward Line: Erling Haaland is anticipated to lead the line, aiming to capitalize on opportunities against Arsenal’s defense.

Possible Inclusion of Jack Grealish

• Fitness Assessment: Guardiola noted Jack Grealish’s positive training, hinting at his potential inclusion.
• Impactful Presence: Grealish’s experience in big games could see him replace Doku on the left wing.

Predicted Lineup: Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland, Grealish

Paul Dickov has asserted that Erling Haaland possesses the capability to singlehandedly secure victories for Manchester City, evident in his decisive contribution against Brentford where he broke the deadlock. Despite City not being at their dominant best, Haaland’s goal proved instrumental in securing the crucial three points.

Dickov praised Haaland’s ability to impact games even when the team is not performing at its peak, emphasizing the confidence it instills in City to have a striker of Haaland’s caliber. The sentiment echoes Vitaliy Mykolenko’s belief that Haaland is currently the best player in the Premier League.

While critics may attribute Haaland’s success to moments of fortune, Dickov emphasized that match-winners possess a unique ability to find ways to secure victories, as seen in Haaland’s performance against Brentford. The striker’s consistent ability to rescue teams he has played for throughout his career is highlighted, with examples including his acrobatic finish against Borussia Dortmund and an incredible overhead kick in a 4-0 win against Southampton.

Haaland’s knack for scoring crucial goals, including last-gasp winners, sets him apart as a player capable of influencing the outcome of games. Dickov drew parallels between Haaland and football greats like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as well as current world-class performers like Mohamed Salah and Kylian Mbappe. Contrary to attributing Haaland’s success to luck, Dickov views his impact as a defining quality associated with football’s elite players.