In our view, Kalvin Phillips should have waited for a move to Arsenal instead of jumping at the chance to sign for Manchester City last summer.
Why Kalvin Phillips should have joined Arsenal, not Manchester City
Of course, the £42 million (Athletic) man would only have been able to work under Mikel Arteta if his side were genuinely interested in his signature.
However, as seen by the number of minutes Kalvin Phillips has played this season, Arsenal would have been the ideal destination for him.
Now, it is worth noting that a huge factor behind the England international’s lack of game time is down to injuries.
But it is also worth reminding that since being consistently fit during matchday 16, he is yet to nail down a single Premier League start and overall, is yet to play from the off for City.
At Arsenal, on the other hand, an injury-free Kalvin Phillips would likely have started regardless.
Unlike at Manchester City, where a pair of advanced midfielders in Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne start, week in, week out behind Rodri, it seems like Mikel Arteta does not necessarily have the same philosophy when it comes to the make-up of his midfield.
After all, while Granit Xhaka is playing in a much attacking role than usual himself, he has always been a box-to-box midfielder, and that is merely due to his manager giving him the license to go forward instead of playing a more flamboyant player like Fabio Vieira instead.
Similarly, Kalvin Phillips, who thrived in a more advanced role at Euro 2020 could have done the same alongside Arsenal No.6 Thomas Partey, his minutes or lack thereof would not have been an issue.
In addition, Phillips is a natural defensive midfielder, allowing Partey to bomb forward, as he did at Atletico Madrid alongside Rodri.
Profile wise as well, Kalvin Phillips would have been a brilliant fit under Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Not only does the Englishman have the legs to be a solid defensive presence as typified by being a lone defensive midfielder in a Marcelo Bielsa side, he also has the expansive passing range and comfortability in possession to have thrived under him.
However, if given enough time and when feeling fit and firing, he could certainly redeem himself in sky blue.
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