Sunday’s performance was a means to an end for Manchester City against Arsenal not a glimpse into the future | OneFootball

Manchester City fought and scrapped their way to a 1-all draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side defended resolutely and gave their all to leave London with a point. It was clear what Manchester City’s tactics were in Sunday’s match after Erling Haaland gave them a 9th-minute lead. There were reasons for the manner of Manchester City’s performance and tactics on the day. They were a means to an end rather than a glimpse into the future. Pep Guardiola made that point following Sunday’s match.

Manchester City did what they had to do against Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola’s side had minimal rest between their 2-nil win over Napoli and Sunday’s clash with Arsenal. It was clear that the Manchester City squad entered the Arsenal clash fatigued. The way they played showed this. City sat deep and kept their defensive shape. They also looked to use the pace of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, and Tijjani Reijnders on the break. Playing this way allowed City to preserve energy and frustrate Arsenal. It almost secured City three points until Gabriel Martinelli equalised for Arsenal in the 93rd minute of Sunday’s match.

Speaking after Sunday’s draw with Arsenal, Pep Guardiola explained that how his team played wasn’t a glimpse into the future. The Manchester City manager isn’t set to abandon his principles any time soon. Regarding his team’s tactical set-up at the Emirates Stadium, Guardiola explained: “In general, who controlled the game was Arsenal. It was not us. And that’s why when this happened, 1-1? I take it.”

Pep Guardiola further explained: “I suffer. I don’t like it. I want the ball away, away — I want it to be close to [David] Raya’s goal, not Gigi [Donnarumma’s]. I have said many times about the [focus being on] the body language, how we celebrate, how we are communicating, how we are making an effort for each other.”

“We lost it a lot last season. And I said this season I don’t give a ‘bleep’ about the results. I wanna see the spirit back in the training sessions.”

Pep Guardiola’s side will continue to look to dominate games with possession, but they do have another weapon in their armoury.

Manchester City did what they had to do against Arsenal. They frustrated Mikel Arteta’s side, and outside of Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal, Arsenal struggled to create quality chances. Manchester City’s threat on the counter was ever-present while Haaland and Doku were on the pitch. There is a new weapon in Manchester City’s armoury if they need to play like they did at the Emirates. But it also won’t be seen all of the time.

Pep Guardiola wants his team to dominate possession. He said as much after Sunday’s match. That isn’t going to change. The major philosophies that make up Manchester City’s play will remain. But after a busy week and having several players unavailable due to injury Manchester City simply did what they had to do against Arsenal.

Manchester City do have the ability to sit deep defensively and hit teams on the counter with ruthless efficiency. The weapons in Pep Guardiola’s squad are there to do so. But Pep Guardiola’s tactics and philosophy won’t change. There is no need for them to.