Manchester City fans were left annoyed on Twitter after Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler kept referring to Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe as ‘the Croydon de Bruyne’ on Sunday.
Every rising star is going to be likened to a proven performer at some point and Arsenal are no different with their own quick-footed playmaker.
Smith Rowe didn’t start Arsenal’s defeat against Man City, but he did come on in the second half for Nicolas Pepe, but he failed to make an impact.
Throughout the match, Tyler, who was leading the commentary for the game, constantly made reference to Smith Rowe’s nickname ‘the Croydon de Bruyne’.
The actual De Bruyne was on the pitch, and given that he only returned from injury, he was only used for an hour by his manager.
Therefore, it’s understandable why ‘the Croydon de Bruyne’ nickname would get a mention on-air, but it’s the number of times that it was said which left Man City supporters frustrated on social media.
In the end, Arsenal didn’t target Man City’s backline enough for their more forward-thinking players to thrive, hence Smith Rowe’s lack of impact as a sub.
But Smith Rowe will be hoping down the line that he’s being compared to others, because if that’s the case, then he’s making his mark.
Nonetheless, here is a selection of Man City fans reacting to the constant De Bruyne-Smith Rowe comparisons on Sunday:
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