Kyle Walker of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Brentford FC at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2024 …Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Man City fans react to Kyle Walker performance in pulsating 2-2 draw with Arsenal
Manchester City fans have been reacting to the performance of Kyle Walker today in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Manchester City went into today’s game hoping to make it five wins out of five.
Erling Haaland got City off to the perfect start, scoring after brilliant play by Savinho on the right wing. The Brazilian slipped the striker in, and he finished at the near post.
City then lost Rodri to an apparent knee injury.
Riccardo Calafiori equalised for Arsenal, with City complaining that referee Michael Oliver did not allow players back into position.
Arsenal then went ahead through Gabriel, who lost Kyle Walker from a corner.
Arsenal had Leandro Trossard sent off just before half-time which meant the Gunners then defended for the whole of the second-half. After 45 minutes of pressure, City found an equaliser right at the death through Johnstone.
Today was Walker’s first start of the season in the Premier League, with the England international being preferred to the in-from Rico Lewis.
Walker, of course, was one of the last players to return to City after the summer, having been involved with England at Euro 2024.
Man City fans react to Kyle Walker’s performance against Arsenal
Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal runs with the ball under pressure from Kyle Walker of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manches…
Fans were already a little disappointed that Pep Guardiola did not start Lewis against Arsenal.
Arguably, the teenager has been one of City’s top performers so far this season.
But he had started in midweek against Inter, which was perhaps a little indication that Pep would turn to Walker against Arsenal, especially with Gabriel Martinelli lining up on the left for Arsenal.
Against the Gunners Walker struggled, and appeared to be lacking rhythm and match sharpness. Fans were very critical of his defending.
Walker woeful. Ref does him a little for the first but he still takes too long to react.
Second he has to do better.
He isn’t the only one but it has to be called out.
— Blue Tone (@MCFCTone) September 22, 2024
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Walker’s time is up, his body is not there anymore.
Still he can be utilized when we need speed at right back. But his ball playing ability is gone, marking players is gone.
— Savio (@mcfc_Savio) September 22, 2024
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I’m sorry but Walker is finished
— – (@KhalifaMCFC) September 22, 2024
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Walker is so past it.
— Arttu (@MCFCArttu) September 22, 2024
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Walker has been a trusty servant for the club for many years… I feel that time is up now. He’s been shocking this half and Rico offers so much more from a technical perspective.
Second half, 11 v 10. Let’s do this. #ManCity
— Joshua Hart (@JDHart97) September 22, 2024
Why Rico Lewis is not on the pitch is beyond me. Now that Arsenal are sat in the game isn’t even suited for Walker anymore. Rico much better in the tight spaces being occupied right now.
— Chano (@ChanoMcfc) September 22, 2024
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I can’t be the only person to think that Kyle Walker is in decline #mcfc
— Terry Hughes (@ctidbluemoon) September 22, 2024
Walker has long been considered one of the top right-backs in the world.
But last term, the 33-year-old was nowhere near as good as he was in the Treble-winning campaign.
And now, some City fans believe that Rico Lewis – who Pep had talked up ahead of today’s game with Arsenal – has gone clear of the veteran.
Walker’s days as a Man City regular are numbered
Walker did improve in the second-half today, but his overall performance against Arsenal was a concern, and also one that won’t come as too much of a surprise to a lot of fans.
Walker has not played a great deal of football so far this season, and his form wasn’t good last season.
The 33-year-old’s days as a regular starter should be numbered, because Lewis has been showing his quality consistently now in a City shirt.
He offers much more than Walker further up the pitch, and he has even shown this season that his defending is solid. Realistically, it is time Walker was phased out.
