Manchester City reached the end of March with a high stakes game against Arsenal at the Etihad which largely left the title race looking the same. All three contenders will make their case as to why it suits them best but all of their fixtures bring different difficulties. All three contenders continue to have a chance at the Premier League title with no one completely out of the picture yet…

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Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal | Match Review

Premier League

MOTM: Josko Gvardiol

Other standout performances include: Rodri

Notable Stats:

• Arsenal this season are only the fourth team to keep a clean sheet against a side managed by Pep Guardiola in two league matches in the same season, after Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014/15, Manchester United 2020/21 and Crystal Palace 21/22.

• Josko Gvardiol vs Arsenal Numbers
  8/10 Duels Won
  7x Possession Won
  6 Crosses
  4 Tackles
  2 Interceptions
  2/2 Take-ons Completed
  0 Fouls Comitted
  0x Dribbled Past

• Top Six Mini-League 23/24 

Main Takeaways:

The starting lineup was one quite easy to predict for Manchester City fans given the injuries to Stones and Walker. With Grealish fitness uncertain, Kovacic came into midfield. Mateo Kovacic dropping into a LCB role in the buildup whilst Gvardiol and Akanji pushed forward to create width. Foden and Bernardo came into midfield alongside Rodri and De Bruyne floating higher up to support Haaland.

This made it easy for City to buildup with Kovacic always left free, City dominated possession and Arsenal dropped into a low block for most of the game. Saka was largely pushed back with Gvardiol where Jesus was not, being the main outlet for Arsenal to provide some threat in transition. The space given to City out wide with Gvardiol and Akanji was taken but not exploited. Whether it was the final ball, cross or ability to change tempo from out wide. Arsenal remained happy to sit in the low block whilst City struggled to find a spark in the final third.

Heading into the second half, Arsenal came out to press City higher up in the buildup as Kovacic would be out wide and prevent them getting down the left side. Arsenal had some regains but largely from City players making mistakes, the strength of Gvardiol and his composure on the ball made it difficult to ever completely get the better of him.

Guardiola then responded with some changes. 👇

Introducing two wingers in Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish to take advantage of the space left out wide and hold the width. Bernardo played alongside Rodri in midfield whilst Rico pushed up to join them. Arsenal only dropped deeper and remained compact. Trossard and Martinelli gave them fresh legs to deal with the threat out wide from Grealish and Doku whilst the Arsenal full backs tucked in tight to take away the inside channels.

Arsenal had their opportunity in transition just before the end of the game, Trossard and Martenelli making runs in behind as Lewis was caught higher up but they weren’t able to make it count. City were not able to find the right pass in the final third, having the control and Arsenal boxed in but all the lanes were closed. Perhaps missing some more risk taking in the final third.

Other Thoughts

• Nathan Ake came off injured in the 27th minute and up stepped Rico Lewis. Akanji shuffled over one and Lewis performed his usual role of stepping into midfield from RB. It’s a side note but the performance of Rico under that pressure to remain composed and deal with a Gabriel Jesus determined to make a difference in transitions. Impressive.

• Josko Gvardiol might well have had his best game in a Manchester City shirt against Arsenal, dealing with Saka and needing to progress the ball out of the press down the left side. Targeted by Arsenal in the second half more and handling it. He’s incredibly strong at his size as you would expect but then mixes that with his balance and agility. Can motor up and down the left side all game long whilst keeping his opposing winger locked. Next season he’ll become our defender with the most minutes in the team.

• Haaland a topic of conversation after the game with the comments of Roy Keane but don’t let that fool you. He’s far better on the ball then is being portrayed, making strides in his hold up play this season and faired quite well against arguably the best CB pairing in the league this season. In a low block with not nearly enough service or space. Fans are right to be concerned about him being ruthless with chances but this wasn’t the game to be focused on that.

• Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku came on in the second half for Kovacic and Foden. Both looking to exploit the space 1v1 out wide but neither really had the courage enough to risk it in the final third and open up the game. Jack Grealish was being spoken to by Guardiola post match and was likely due to that point. There was a few instances where he had Haaland and De Bruyne making runs into the box but he doesn’t put the ball through. City were quite pragmatic in the game but to open up a chance they needed to take risk, there was the space for it.

• Only a small note to make on set pieces but City did deal quite comfortably with the threat Arsenal posed there. Statistically the best in the league in most metrics but kept them to no real threat. City had the chance with Ake they would feel could have been the difference another day.

• Included above is a still from the Rico Lewis turn and pass into Foden. He doesn’t give it back but if he did that would put Rico through on goal since no Arsenal defender tracked his run. In a game like that, it was always a bit of magic or luck which was going to get a winner.

• Akanji has to play De Bruyne in here, just one example of something the whole team did in that game. Not take the risks in the final third. Arsenal were compact and worked tirelessly to defend but that doesn’t mean there was no space.

Moving Forward:

• I’d still be confident heading into the remaining set of fixtures that City are in the mix for the Premier League title. More than enough football to be played and between three teams that each have their own faults. It only takes a draw to completely shift peoples perspectives and you cannot confidently look at the remaining fixtures thinking each team will win them all.

• One note on City is that if we were seeing performances well below par then I’d have more concern but we are not seeing that. The team is missing something in games, whether it is in the final third or strength in duels early this season but they still had Arsenal boxed in their own half for most of the game. That alone is no easy feat.

• Something that I am more convinced about in the summer is that City will need a small shake up, to be ruthless and unafraid of taking away minutes from players. Clear the pathway for Bobb and Lewis. Bring in an elite midfielder and deal with the upset player within the season.

• Next Season Rico Lewis should have a bigger role within the team and here is why. 👇

Interesting Links

• Tactics Journal on Odegaard taking risk where City lacked.

• Erling Haaland touches vs Arsenal, gives you a lot better perspective on how well he did and how tough it was for him.

• Manchester City vs Arsenal - Markstatsbot

That’s all for this newsletter in the world of Manchester City. Preview for the Aston Villa game to be published Wednesday morning. The Treble Winners documentary is released today, hopefully you all get a chance to watch and enjoy!

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