Manchester City opted for a more defensive approach in their 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola's Man City register unwanted statistic in Arsenal stalemate originally appeared on The Sporting News
Manchester City could only manage a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.
Erling Haaland handed City an early lead in the ninth minute and since then City were in game management mode and they almost returned home with three points until Gabriel Martinelli came up with a late equalizer to share the spoils.
City had the lead and the impetus in the first half, but Pep Guardiola decided to change tactics in the second half and focused on holding out the lead which eventually worked against them.
It was unusual to see a Guardiola-led team finishing with a formation of 5-4-1 with all the ten outfield players in their own half, sitting deep and working hard to hold out the lead.
As a result, as per Opta, City had 32.8% possession against Arsenal - the lowest possession average by any Guardiola team in a top-flight league match (610 matches) in his career.
The former Barcelona manager, who has achieved great success with multiple clubs for 20 years with his possession dominating style of play, has suddenly decided to move beyond that.
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Pep Guardiola accepts criticism for Manchester City's pragmatic approach
Manchester City featured in three high profile games in the last week which started with the Manchester Derby against Man United followed by Champions League clash against Napoli and then travelling to North London to face Arsenal.
32.8% - Manchester City's draw at the Emirates included the 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 at Arsenal in the Premier League (32.8% today, 36.5% in March 2023). Pragmatism. pic.twitter.com/MgBd9Gtehj
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2025
So definitely fatigue played a big role in forcing Guardiola to tweak his system and to his credit, he almost walked home with three wins out of three from a pretty hectic week.
"We played tough games this week - Manchester United and in the Champions League - and today we played against a powerful team," Guardiola told the reporters after the Arsenal draw.
"Hats off to our team for the resilience. It's so difficult when you're not effective with high pressing, it's always tough in the build-up.
"We made some transitions. I think the result is fair. In general Arsenal were better. Since the transfer window finished the togetherness has been top.
"It was so demanding today and Arsenal have everything - we defended the corners so well. We'll take the point, we have to improve but it is what it is.
"We were incredibly tired. 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."
He accepted criticism on City's pragmatic approach with a back five setup as he added, "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.
"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."
Manchester City have now secured seven points from five games in the Premier League, they are eight points behind leaders Liverpool.
Manchester City news and related links
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