Mikel Arteta, Supervisor of Arsenal, embraces Josep Guardiola, Supervisor of Manchester Metropolis, previous to the Premier League match between Manchester Metropolis FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photograph by Michael Regan/Getty Pictures)
Pep Guardiola has admitted he ‘possibly would have achieved the identical’ as Mikel Arteta tactically had his aspect discovered themselves in the identical place as Arsenal on Sunday.
The highest two from the Premier League during the last two seasons performed out a 2-2 attract a surprising encounter on the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal overturned an early Erling Haaland objective to take a 2-1 half-time lead with strikes from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhães.
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Nevertheless, catastrophe struck when Leandro Trossard was controversially proven a second yellow card simply earlier than half-time for kicking the ball away after the referee’s whistle, simply weeks after Declan Rice was despatched off in an identical incident.
Predictably, Metropolis used the one-man benefit to pile the stress on and outshot Arsenal 28-1 with 88% possession and 390 accomplished passes to 31 within the second half.
Arsenal’s gamers drew the ire of the Manchester Metropolis crowd, gamers and workers alike by frequently happening with supposed cramp and accidents to attempt to run the clock down and disrupt the sport.
In the meantime, Mikel Arteta instructed his group to sit down in a deep block, at instances taking part in with a six-man defence with the remaining three outfield gamers positioned simply forward.
Arteta’s plan nearly labored till John Stones poked dwelling a rebound from a blocked Mateo Kovacic shot within the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time, breaking Arsenal hearts.
Guardiola admits he might have used identical techniques as Arsenal
As irritating as Arsenal’s recreation plan was for Metropolis, Guardiola admitted he might have gone for a similar tactical strategy, whereas crediting his gamers for remaining affected person.
“Crucial factor within the second half is we didn’t concede fouls. As a result of they needed to cease the sport, cease the sport. I don’t know what number of went down with cramp as a result of it was such a demanding recreation. However we didn’t concede fouls and fouls with deliberate motion,” Guardiola advised Sky Sports activities after the match.
“It was tough as a result of you possibly can create and cross within the field however they’ve Calafiori, Ben White, Saliba, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Gabriel, it was tough. There have been ten gamers there.
“However we have been so affected person, proper, left, proper, left to search out the photographs and the actions. Raya made unbelievable saves, however we obtained what we deserved.
“Possibly I might have achieved the identical [as what Arsenal did in the second half]. You need to ask to Mikel what are the techniques. Nevertheless it was an extended ball from Raya to Havertz who confirmed unbelievable sturdy, the second balls they go rather well for them in entrance and behind.”
High photograph by Michael Regan/Getty Pictures
