Man City's possession dip this seasonpublished at 14:59 BST 22 September
14:59 BST 22 September
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted that his defensive tactics against Arsenal made him "suffer" because that is not the way he likes to play – City had just 32.8% possession yesterday, the lowest they have had under Guardiola, and the lowest he has overseen in his any of his 601 top-flight matches as a manager.
The Spaniard put it down to fatigue and Arsenal's attacking ability but it could also be seen as the early signs of a steadily increasing trend in City's game, coming on the back of a derby win over Manchester United, in which City had just 43.3% of possession.
Only twice in their five league games this season have City topped 60% possession, an average they have surpassed in every season since Guardiola took charge. In two-thirds of those campaigns, the figure has been over 65%.
Last season's, City's average possession was 61.6%, their lowest figure yet under Guardiola. Even so, it was the best figure of any Premier League team, as it has been in every year of the Spaniard's reign. In 2017-18, their average of 71.7% was almost 10% more than any other side.
But in 2025-26, City lie eighth in the possession charts, with a comparatively measly 52.4%.
"We don't want it, but sometimes it happens. Ok, one time in 10 years is not bad, right?" said Guardiola yesterday, but City's grip on dominating games is showing signs of loosening.
What caused 'unique' tactical approach?published at 11:28 BST 22 September
11:28 BST 22 September
Umir Irfan Football tactics correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
After Manchester City went 1-0 up against Arsenal, they took a defensive approach unlike one Pep Guardiola has opted for previously.
They sat deep and blocked the centre of the pitch, making it difficult for Arsenal to find striker Viktor Gyokeres or attacking midfielders between the lines. Guardiola has typically asked his team to defend in a 4-4-2 and did to begin with, but City moved into a 5-4-1 or 5-5-0 as the game progressed.
So why did he opt for this approach?
This was the third game in seven days for an unchanged City side who were fatigued, according to Guardiola. Most teams would struggle to stifle Arsenal's excellent build-up play, but with City tiring, defending deep prevented them from being exposed trying to press Arsenal.
It was not just about stopping the build-up, but preventing Arsenal from creating chances.
Arteta's men eventually got their equaliser but it was telling the goal came from a direct ball over a City defence that had stepped up, rather than when the visitors sat deep.
Arsenal dominated the ball, but the 68% possession they had amounted to 0.61 expected goals in the second half.
City aimed to nullify Arsenal's dangerous central quality by putting numerous bodies in the middle of the pitch. They also aimed to shut down runners by reducing the space they had in behind by being close to their own goal.
It is unlikely City will play that deep consistently going forward, but it was interesting to see such an attacking manager like Guardiola deploy a shape without a recognised striker, given his previous quotes about the formation.
"In prehistoric times, now and in 100,000 years, it is always very difficult to attack a 5-5 formation," were his words when facing a similar tactical gameplan deployed by Atletico Madrid in 2022.
Ultimately it was a combination of acknowledging City's fatigue and strong counter-attackers, while wanting to minimise Arsenal's quality - particularly the home side's directness, build-up and central attackers - that help explain the unique approach.
We had a lot of fatigue - Guardiolapublished at 09:45 BST 22 September
09:45 BST 22 September
Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter
Media caption,
For 92 minutes of the contest at the Emirates, it was all going to plan for Manchester City - Arsenal were failing to fire and the visitors were on their way to a vital victory.
Despite the arduous scheduling of recent games, Pep Guardiola decided to name the same starting XI for a third consecutive game - only the third time he has done this during his nine years at the club.
Having taken a ninth-minute lead through the imperious Erling Haaland and seeing out the opening 45 minutes pretty comfortably, Guardiola decided to shut up shop in the second half, possibly with tiredness in mind.
City had comfortably dispatched rivals Manchester United last Sunday, but were made to work hard for victory against 10-man Napoli in their Champions League opener on Thursday. Despite their efforts at Arsenal, they fell agonisingly short of three straight wins in a week.
Guardiola switched to a 5-5-0 formation in the 76th minute following the eyebrow-raising decision to haul off Haaland and send on defensive midfielder Nico Gonzalez - a tactical manoeuvre which could have come right out of the Jose Mourinho playbook.
The attempt to do whatever was needed to try to get the win was highlighted by the fact City ended with only 32.8% possession, the lowest figure recorded by any Guardiola side in his 601st league game as manager.
"We don't try to be like this but when the opponent is better we defend deeper and counter-attack - but that's not our intention," he said.
"I would prefer not to do it, but you have to at this level. I take a point and in some games we have to adjust."
But Guardiola admitted two tough games, with just two days rest in between, had taken a toll on his players.
"We were incredibly tired," he added. "The game against Napoli was so emotional and after that recovery day we have four or five hours to travel to London. Arsenal fought in the last two Premier League title races and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League so it's so difficult.
"We had a lot of fatigue with many players. We also have a lot of injuries."
The head coach told BBC Radio 5 Live he was "disappointed" by the result, but was "proud" of his players for improving on last season's performance when they were thumped 5-1 by Mikel Arteta's men in the corresponding fixture.
Naeem: Parallels to last years game just opposite teams. City parked the bus and we struggled to break them down. Got through in the end thanks to a super Martinelli finish and it is good to see him scoring after all the critique. Despite this, still not a great display. Need to find a way to get Viktor Gyokeres involved more so he can use that strength to help stride through. Can't be satisfied with a point apiece - we need to be gunning for three points every game.
Chris: Arsenal second again in the Premier League unless Mikel releases the handbrake, particularly at home. Be braver please - you've got the squad for it this season.
Paul: We never gave up and that's what champions do. The team is still finding its feet with all the new signings. Our strong bench is going to be crucial to any title run!
Phoenix: How Mikel Arteta keep doing same thing every time and expect a different results is messing with my imagination. Manchester City was there for the taking. All we had to do was use our best attacking team that doesn't include Mikel Merino in the middle. We keep saying the gaffer knows what he's doing but honestly we have to start questioning his selection. Liverpool are the winners. In just five games, we have started the chasing game .
Man City fans
Russell: First half good, second half terrible. Lucky to come away with a point!
Stella: Despite playing very defensively, this game gave me some optimism. It is the first time City's defence looked relatively solid. People forget that this new team is a work in progress and Nico O'Reilly particularly did very well in an unnatural position. He and Abdukodir Khusanov looked like stable full-backs against some very good players. Arsenal also had two extra days to rest and prepare, which certainly showed as the latter stages of the game were reached with City's players looking close to exhaustion. It was a game we couldn't lose. A tiny green shoot of recovery?
David: City got a very good breakaway goal but they really should have pressed for a second. It was most unlike them to play a very low block like they were scared. They won't win anything unless their better players can express themselves.
Shaun: Pep the bus! Absolute joke, that's not what City are about. Liverpool have got the title in the bag and we will be lucky to get fourth.
Analysis: Guardiola falls just short in attempt to shut up shoppublished at 20:13 BST 21 September
20:13 BST 21 September
Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter
Image source, Getty Images
In Erling Haaland, Manchester City have a world-class striker who is in incredible form - and it looked like his effort was going to settle the game before Gabriel Martinelli's late intervention.
The 25-year-old leads the league's scoring charts with six goals in five matches, having also netted in the Champions League on Thursday and notched a further six for Norway during the recent internationals.
City's opening goal on the counter-attack displayed a ruthlessness that will be required by Guardiola's side this season, but dropping two points leaves them eight behind leaders Liverpool already.
The champions sit top and have won all five of their games so far, so it was imperative City - who have already lost twice - did not drop any points and lose further ground early on in the campaign, but they could not finish the job at Emirates Stadium.
Haaland started and finished the move for their goal - winning the ball in his own half before exchanging passes with the galloping Tijjani Reijnders and finishing low past the reach of David Raya.
City pressed Arsenal high up the pitch in the first half and forced mistakes, with Reijnders almost doubling the advantage but seeing a low drive batted away by Raya.
Pep Guardiola was happy to sit back and try to see out the match in the second half, switching to a 5-5-0 formation by bringing on an extra defender in Nathan Ake and replacing Haaland with holding midfielder Nico Gonzalez.
However, with time running out, substitute Martinelli's delightful finish salvaged a draw which will leave neither City nor the Gunners satisfied, as an ominous-looking Liverpool side are five points clear after as many games.
Arsenal 1-1 Man City: What Guardiola and Reijnders saidpublished at 19:19 BST 21 September
19:19 BST 21 September
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Watch Guardiola's chat with BBC Match of the Day here
Pep Guardiola spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after Manchester City's draw against Arsenal: "Disappointed with the result, yes, but last season we equalised in the last moment at the Etihad and they equalise here. It's football. It's 97 or 98 minutes.
"We were incredibly strong. It has been a really tough week for us with tough opponents and then Thursday to Sunday and travel to London, it is demanding. And the opponent is really good, so the result is fair."
On naming an unchanged side: "Because I wake up in the morning yesterday and said these guys are gonna play. I surprise myself sometimes. I'm getting old my friend."
On if City were stronger today than v Brighton: "I want the team to do better and I am here to enjoy my team. Today I am so proud of how they played. There are games and opponents where you have to do the body language, the spirit and being all together, that is unbelievable."
On Haaland's goal: "When it is transition we like to do the transitions, we can use it. It is not the way we like to do but sometimes the opponent is good and you have to accept that."
On how he feels the team is doing five games in: "Still trying to grow. Many new players, including an important position with the keeper. Many players are injured. This is a young, young team, the youngest team we have had and will be for the future. Step by step we see what happens. It is a long journey, so we take it game by game."
Tijjani Reijnders also spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Sunday's match: "Unfortunately, we conceded a late equaliser - it was a tough game. We had some possibilities to lead 2-0 but conceding late makes us unhappy.
"If you are 1-0 up you want the three points but everyone knows playing here at Arsenal it's difficult. We have to keep working."
On providing the assist: "First I was looking for Doku but he would need to beat a player and Erling was free."
Manchester City recorded their lowest ever possession average by a Pep Guardiola team in a top-flight league match (today his 601st), while the two lowest have both been in games away to Arsenal in the Premier League (32.8% today, 36.5% in March 2023).
Manchester City have won just seven points from their opening five Premier League matches (W2 D1 L2), their worst return after five league games of a campaign since 2006-07 under Stuart Pearce (4).
Arsenal v Man City: Team news published at 15:54 BST 21 September
15:54 BST 21 September
Mikel Arteta names Leandro Trossard in his starting XI after his goal and assist in the midweek win over Athletic Bilbao. William Saliba comes into the starting XI after an ankle problem and Bukayo Saka is back on the bench after a hamstring injury.
Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Merino, Trossard, Madueke, Gyokeres
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Martinelli, Eze, Mosquera, White, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Saka
Pep Guardiola names an unchanged side from the one that beat Napoli in the Champions League in midweek. City are looking for their first win against Arsenal in five matches.
Manchester City starting XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol,O'Reilly, Rodri, Reijnders, Silva, Foden, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Ake, Stones, Gonzalez, Savinho, Nunes, Bobb, Mukasa, Lewis
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Aston Villa" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Man City", for instance.
Arsenal v Man City: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:58 BST 20 September
12:58 BST 20 September
Two title hopefuls meet at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal look to continue their recent excellent record against rivals Manchester City. BBC Sport takes a look at the key talking points going into Sunday's game.
After a run of just two wins in 22 Premier League matches against City, the Gunners have mastered how to rattle Pep Guardiola's side of late, with two wins at the Emirates and two away draws in their past four encounters.
After thrashing them 5-1 in February, Arsenal now have the chance to secure back-to-back top-flight wins over City for the first time since December 2015.
The Gunners continued their strong start to the season with a hard-fought Champions League win at Athletic Club on Tuesday. To highlight their increased squad strength, five of their eight new summer signings started, while the two goals came from substitutes of the calibre of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Joining them on the bench in Bilbao were the likes of William Saliba, Christian Norgaard, Miles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri. "The 'finishers' are going to be more important this season sometimes than the starters," Arteta says of the impact he hopes his substitutes will have. "We can change the game there, especially with the intensity that we play and teams start to drop off."
An enlarged squad naturally gives Arteta a headache of who to select and one of the key areas he will be keen to address is a perceived lack of creativity in big games. This was again exposed in their 1-0 defeat at Liverpool last month, during which they mustered just one shot on target.
Manchester City came through their reunion with Kevin de Bruyne and his Napoli side unscathed.
The next challenge for Guardiola is to rectify their poor form against Arsenal.
He has never gone five games without a top-flight league win against an opponent, while his protegee Arteta could also become the first manager to go five league matches unbeaten against Guardiola.
Another thing that needs addressing is City's form post European fixtures.
They have lost five of their past seven matches that have immediately followed a midweek Champions League match, including their 5-1 hammering at the Emirates last season.
Their previous five such defeats came over a period of 46 games across five years.
The Gunners, who played on Tuesday, have also had two days extra rest on City.
With four goals in six Premier League appearances against Arsenal, City will again look towards talisman Erling Haaland for inspiration, especially given how well he has begun the season for club and country.
"Erling has been incredible since the start, but this season he is better than ever," Guardiola said last week. "I would say better than the Treble year [2022-23]."
Against Napoli, he scored his 50th goal on his 49th Champions League appearance, reaching the milestone in at least 13 appearances fewer than any other player in the competition's history.
Rooney says City win would make 'real statement'published at 11:58 BST 20 September
11:58 BST 20 September
Image source, Getty Images
Wayne Rooney believes a Manchester City win over Arsenal on Saturday would make a "huge statement" so early in the season.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he said: "I think if Manchester City win this game, Arsenal and Liverpool will be looking and thinking that this is not good.
"Obviously with Guardiola's reputation with the titles he's won, the way Manchester City beat Manchester United and then if they go on and beat Arsenal... They have looked a bit indifferent this season and little bit sloppy at times.
"But I think if they go and beat Arsenal at the weekend, I think that's a huge statement to everyone in the league.
"They're still right in the title race, so I think it's a more important game for Manchester City than for Arsenal."
Guardiola on Rodri's fitness, recovery and Arsenal rematchpublished at 13:30 BST 19 September
13:30 BST 19 September
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (16:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Guardiola said he does not know whether Rodri will be fit enough to start his third game in a week after starting wins over Manchester United and Napoli. The midfielder "didn't feel comfortable" during training on Wednesday but played "extraordinary" in the Champions League so City "will decide" on Sunday".
On whether Rodri is returning to his highest level of confidence since his ACL injury?: "Not yet. The greatest players I ever trained in my managerial career, what I see is here [in their head]. Here they are incredible, so confident in himself and Rodri is that. But the knee is completely different than how you think. And the knee needs his process. As much as he's patient with that, and we are patient with him, he will be back."
On how City will spend their two full days before Sunday: "I don't know. Tomorrow, recovery. Rest, rest, rest, and the energy for Sunday."
Reflecting on the 5-1 defeat at Emirates Stadium last season, Guardiola said: "We forgot to do what we had do and after that it was easy for Arsenal. The last 15-20 minutes were a disaster. Hopefully, this season we can make a little bit more challenge."
Are the difficult spells of last season behind them?:" I know what the people say and it was not good, really. I know my team when it is consistent because when you win six Premier Leagues, it is because you are a machine."
He recognises how difficult it will be against the Gunners: "It is an unbelievable squad and an unbelievable team. It is one of the toughest opponents you can find now in Europe. Last season in Europe, they made an incredible step forward and for me, they are the most solid team. They don't make mistakes at the back."
On Arsenal's summer spending: "All I can say is they have been wise. They spent what they believe they can to compete against the best teams in the Premier League and Europe and they've reached that level. So he [Mikel Arteta] found, I think, a team in that way, a club, and step by step, window by window, step by step, Arsenal is getting better."
'It's clear that Foden has his mojo back'published at 12:35 BST 19 September
12:35 BST 19 September
Emily Brobyn Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
People will, rightfully, be heaping praise on the Norwegian robot, Erling Haaland, after he slayed another goal-scoring record during City's comfortable 2-0 victory against Napoli at Etihad Stadium.
The fastest player ever to reach 50 Champions League goals; getting the job done in 49 games. A colossus up front – a relentless, unforgiving, great white shark of a striker. One sniff of goal and you may as well play the sinister chords of suspense music.
But it was the local lad from Stockport whose symphony struck so sweet.
Phil Foden, who recently admitted to being hurt after seeing the criticism aimed at him after last season, spent the full 90 minutes of the game begging for the ball to his feet.
The 25-year-old was desperate to influence and create. He is one of the best in the world when it comes to working the ball in tight spaces and, when he's in this form, he's mesmerising.
His hard work was rewarded when he ran into space near the edge of the box, quickly turned and instinctively delivered the most delicate of chips through for the monstrous Haaland to head into goal.
This competition is one that Foden has always shone the brightest in: he became the youngest English goal-scorer to score in the knockout stages of the competition back in March 2019 at the age of 18. He's only a goal in this campaign away from having scored in every Champions League season since 2018-19.
It's a stage that Stockport's Foden feels so at home on – whether it be under the bright lights of the Bernabeu or on more familiar turf in East Manchester, it's clear that he has his mojo back. He's enjoying his football again – and we're enjoying watching him just as much.
Said: A super result and a great reception for Kevin de Bruyne. Phil Foden is improving and Jeremy Doku is starting to look like a really dangerous player. Things still look a tad tricky in defence but things seem to be on an upwards trajectory. We still look short of Liverpool but hopefully we will challenge for a top-four place again this season.
Brian: Erling Haaland and Foden look to have reignited their excellent connection on the pitch and that promises one thing for City - goals.
Stanley: I cannot see what Pep Guardiola sees in Rico Lewis. He is a professional coach and I'm a grassroots coach, yet I can see Lewis as a liability. His general play as an inverted full-back creates problems for a fragile defensive setup. He comes in too narrow and delivers nothing through the midfield or going forward.
Phil: A good performance against a tough opponent. I'm going into Sunday's game [against Arsenal] with optimism.
Nick: Playing against 10 men can be just as difficult as against 11 men at times, but City kept calm and were patient. They fully deserved their victory. It was great to see Foden back playing well.
'Last two games have been the Foden that we know' - Guardiolapublished at 07:51 BST 19 September
07:51 BST 19 September
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It has been a while since Phil Foden played a starring role for Manchester City, but boss Pep Guardiola says he is starting to look like "the Phil Foden we know" again.
After being named the Premier League player of the season for the 2023-24 campaign, Foden only registered seven goals and two assists in the league last season.
"You could not imagine how much I missed him," said Guardiola. "The last two games have been the Phil that we know.
"He brings a sense of danger close to the box and he could have scored again
"We are so happy because I know that he is happy and has joy. Life is fine so the rest is natural with his incredible talent."
How Foden & Doku magic unlocked 10-man Napoli's low blockpublished at 07:42 BST 19 September
07:42 BST 19 September
BBC Sport pundits Nedum Onouha, Nicky Bandini and Nicky Butt look at how Manchester City adjusted the way they played to beat the low block of 10-man Napoli.