Fernandinho Proving Worth for Man City as Massive Week Begins

The season may only be a few weeks old, but Manchester City find themselves in the midst of a hugely important run of matches. Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates was the first instalment of a three-game run against some of Europe’s top sides.

A midweek trip to Munich sees City kick off their Champions League campaign in the Allianz against Bayern before next weekend’s home match to Premier League pacesetters Chelsea. As weeks in football go, it’s about as difficult as you can get.

And with new signing Fernando set to miss both of the fixtures with injury, the importance of his compatriot Fernandinho—who was outstanding against Arsenal—increases.

Fernando was signed to add some extra solidity to City’s midfield. He’s an out-and-out defensive player, focused almost exclusively on stopping the opposition and offering extra protection to City’s back four.

In certain games last season, City were overrun in midfield. Manuel Pellegrini, clearly recognising the need for a top-class defensive midfielder to help combat the problem, felt £12 million for Fernando was a bargain. He brings incredible energy levels and a desire to stop opposition attacks—exactly what City needed to take their midfield to the next level.

He brings options with him, too. Whereas the majority of last season saw Pellegrini employ a two-man midfield of Fernandinho and Yaya Toure, Fernando allows for a three-man axis, particularly useful in the big games in which the threat from the opposition is most acute.

City’s week of tough fixtures looked set to be the first real test of the new dimension Fernando brings, but he will play no part in them after suffering a muscle problem. It leaves Toure, who missed City’s trip to the Emirates after a late flight back from international duty, and Fernandinho once again carrying City's midfield burden.

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But Fernandinho’s showing in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal has brightened the picture somewhat. He was superb, producing a display full of energy, pace, desire and tackling that nullified Arsenal’s midfield. After a disappointing World Cup and a slow start to the season, it was a performance that reminded everybody just how good the Brazilian is.

He’s the perfect hybrid of Fernando and Toure, a box-to-box midfielder capable of defensive and attacking quality. He brings urgency to City’s play, and his vision and range of passing means he can launch City attacks from deep.

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The way he shut down Arsenal's midfield play with a mixture of tenaciousness and energy was a joy to behold. Arsenal's strength lies in their midfield, with the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez offering pace, guile, inventiveness and one-touch passing. Fernandinho arguably eclipsed all of them, particularly in the second half.

City will be hoping it was a precursor of things to come. Against a Bayern side who outpassed City in midfield last season and a Chelsea team boasting an in-form Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic, Fernandinho will need to be at his very best.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here: @RobPollard_