'Will be business as usual very quickly' - James on City
- Published
Manchester City's narrow defeat to Arsenal on Sunday offered evidence that they are weaker without Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne in the team, believes former England goalkeeper David James.
"I have been guilty, like many other people who follow City, of saying they can name any XI and beat anybody," James told BBC Radio 5 Live. "But it was very evident yesterday that it is not necessarily the case.
"That was a perfect game for De Bruyne to find those invisible holes and bring the creativity. Even more importantly, when they do not have Rodri the team does not function the same.
"However, I should say that as limited as City were, they still had a chance of beating Arsenal. And Rodri is back for the next game, so it will be business as usual very quickly."
James also emphasised a burgeoning rivalry between these two sides after they fought out an intriguing title race last season.
"It is exciting for the Premier League and for the players who will be involved in it," he said.
"You see the emotion yesterday from the City players after the way they lost. The rivalry is building."
Listen to the full interview with James from 2'20'00 on BBC Sounds
