Why Didn’t Manchester City Go Longer to Erling Haaland in Their Defeat to Arsenal?

Mikel Arteta has finally beaten his former boss Pep Guardiola, ending a streak of 12 straight losses for Arsenal against Manchester City, with a late goal from substitute Gabriel Martinelli seeing the Gunners prevail 1-0 at the Emirates. In an attritional battle not perceived as the greatest game entertainment-wise, the tactics were fascinating. The biggest takeaways were the fact that City whilst having more of the ball were incredibly narrow, to the point where Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez seen as the wide forwards were tucking inside. 

Guardiola mentioned after the game that without Rodri this was on purpose. He wanted players in the centre of the pitch able to take care of the ball. The problem the Spaniard ran into was Arsenal clogging the middle of the pitch. If you flood the centre of the pitch with your midfield sticking with players man to man, progressing the ball in the middle of the pitch is going to be difficult. What became even more eye-opening was the fact Foden and Alvarez barely dragged their markers out or moved around, they were instructed to stay central and followed suit. 

Manchester City playing conservatively is Man City doing what they know best, keeping the ball. Except this time without the purpose of penetration. This isn’t the first time Guardiola has done this. Remember Real Madrid away last season? Pep was happy to keep things the way they were for the last 20 minutes at 1-1 and get a draw then thrash them at the Etihad.