An ever-reliable Manchester City defender played a crucial role in City’s win over Brentford | OneFootball

Nathan Ake has been a squad player for Manchester City this season. Ake has made 30 appearances in all competitions for City over the course of this season. However, the majority of those have come off the bench or in cup games. Ake did play a key role when he started in the heart of City’s defence in their 2-0 Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal, as he did against Southampton in Manchester City’s recent 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win. Nathan Ake started alongside Marc Guehi in City’s must-win match against Brentford yesterday. Pep Guardiola’s team won 3-0 to put pressure on Arsenal in this season’s title race, and Nathan Ake was a rock at the back, alongside Marc Guehi in City’s important win yesterday.

When called upon Nathan Ake was ready for the tough challenge that Brentford posed.

Abdukodir Khusanov missed Manchester City’s win over Brentford yesterday after sustaining a knock in City’s 3-3 draw with Everton. Nathan Ake started in his place, alongside Marc Guehi in the heart of City’s defence. Brentford has a dangerous attack with the pace and power of Igor Thiago, coupled with the speed and ability to get in behind that Kevin Schade provides. To pick up all three points yesterday, City had to be alert and strong at the back. They were yesterday as Nathan Ake, Marc Guehi, Matheus Nunes, and Nico O’Reilly were superb as a defensive unit against Keith Andrews’ team.

Nathan Ake was a rock at the back yesterday. He was rarely flustered by the physical threat that Igor Thiago offered. Ake won his physical and aerial duels and it also appeared that his calmness rubbed off on his teammates. At no point yesterday did Ake look like a player who hasn’t been a first team regular this season. He brought experience to the Manchester City defence and Ake’s performance, while it won’t create headlines, was everything that Manchester City needed from him yesterday.

Nathan Ake has always been ready and willing to step when Manchester City has needed him.

Ever since Nathan Ake signed for Manchester City from Bournemouth, he has been ever-reliable for Pep Guardiola. Ake has rarely let his team down, whether he’s played at left-back, centre-back, or been used as a squad player. This speaks to Ake’s professionalism and dedication to the cause at City. Yesterday’s performance against Brentford from Ake perfectly encapsulated this, and it was an integral contribution to Manchester City’s important win.

Nathan Ake played an important role for Manchester City as they picked a huge three points which could be crucial in this season’s title race. Ake stepped up in Abdukodir Khusanov’s absence as he again did exactly what his team needed in a pivotal Premier League fixture.