Micah Richards has told Pep Guardiola why he must select Kyle Walker for Wednesday night's title race showdown against Arsenal. The 32-year-old has been subject to criticism from his manager lately amid concerns regarding the defender's ability to play in Manchester City's new system.
Guardiola's revised tactical set-up requires Walker to operate as an inverted full-back – just like Oleksandr Zinchenko under Mikel Arteta this season. Despite the England international's ability as a defender, the City boss has admitted that the right-back would struggle infield.
"He cannot do it," Guardiola told the media earlier this month. "He will always have pace. Kyle at 60 years old will be the fastest player in this room. To play inside you have to have educated movements – he doesn't have every one of the characteristics.
READ MORE: Jude Bellingham transfer 'decision' made as Arsenal welcome two players for Mikel Arteta's plan
"He has played as a full back coming inside in the past with four at the back. He has done really well but this shape of three at the back and two in the middle, he cannot do it."
However, regardless of the questions marks hanging over Walker's head, Richards believes that Guardiola must play the defender in order to nullify Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazil international has featured 32 times for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, directly contributing towards 20 goals.
His impressive performances have steered the Gunners to the top of the table, proving himself as one of the competition's most dangerous forwards. As quoted by the Mirror, Richards said: "The pressure is off Arsenal because everyone expects City to win that game.
"One way to play against City is on the counter-attack. I would play Walker in that game to stop Martinelli. His pace is frightening. Everyone talks about [Bukayo] Saka and [Martin] Odegaard, but nobody talks about Martinelli. On transition, he is frightening."
Martinelli is yet to score a goal against City, but he certainly impressed when the two sides locked horns at the Emirates Stadium last term. While Arsenal's firepower is a force to be reckoned with, Ian Wright has raised concerns over the Gunners' ability to focus in key moments – moments which could decide the title.
Speaking on his podcast, Wrighty's House Live, the 59-year-old said: "That’s the problem I think – our right side defensively is the weakest. I think [Martin] Odegaard is going to be the one, and [Thomas] Partey, because if we can get ourselves in a situation where we can get the ball played through that midfield to [Bukayo] Saka and the pace of [Gabriel] Martinelli, we can breach them.
"It’s the concentration and when you look at the mistakes we made the other day [against Southampton], that does make me feel like there’s a little bit of nervousness and we can’t afford to do that tomorrow. We don’t seem to be focused enough at the moment, and that kind of frightens me.
"You can’t expect me to think it’s going to be brilliant because I want us to win. There are things that bother me about what City can definitely exploit with us – but we can exploit with them."
READ NEXT:
Arsenal line-ups vs Man City with Holding decision, Martinelli handed new role as Tierney starts
Every word Mikel Arteta said on William Saliba fitness, Granit Xhaka doubt and stopping Haaland
White and Saka battle, Vieira hint: Four things spotted in Arsenal training ahead of Man City
Jack Grealish weakness, Rob Holding alternative - how Arsenal can beat Manchester City
Latest Man City injury news as one misses Arsenal and Guardiola settles Erling Haaland question
