The Digest:
Pep Guardiola has explained Manchester City’s uncharacteristically defensive approach in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal, admitting his team was forced to abandon their usual style. The Cityzens recorded just 33% possession, a league low for any Guardiola side, after an early goal led to resilient, transition-based football.
Key Points:
- Guardiola praised his team’s mental strength despite the tactical shift.
- He admitted Arsenal’s quality made high pressing ineffective.
- City scored early and defended deeply throughout the match.
- The strategy relied heavily on counterattacks rather than possession.
- Guardiola acknowledged it was “not the way we like to play.”
- The result leaves City 8th in the table, eight points behind Liverpool.
- The 33% possession stat is a historic low for a Guardiola-led side.
Sources: Sky Sports, Goal
