sport news Arsenal had just 27 per cent possession vs Man City - the LEAST amount they've ... trends now
The better teams have a variety of match-defining blueprints in the locker which they can turn to depending upon the opposition.
That’s not new, though the best also possess the nous to shun one’s ego when needed to.
For Mikel Arteta, that equal measure of fear and respect for his mentor Pep Guardiola and the formidable Manchester City was translated in the match statistics.
Arsenal had 27 per cent possession, 269 passes and 20 fouls. It contrasted to Man City’s 73 per cent possession, 690 passes and nine fouls.
Looking at the numbers more closely, this was the Gunners’ least amount of possession in a game this season.
Mikel Arteta took his side to the Etihad with a plan to sit in and frustrate Manchester City
The Gunners denied City's players space and swarmed around them when out of possession
Arsenal had just 27 per cent possession - the least ammount they've had in a game this season
When questioned why so, Arteta said: ‘Clarity. Are you ready to follow 30 passes? And then after regaining the ball, lose it and follow another 30 passes? Yes?
‘If so then you are ready to play Manchester City. It’s that important. If you’re not ready to do that then you cannot play them.’
The previous league match between these two sides, an Arsenal 1-0 victory in October, saw the north London club enjoy 49 per cent possession.
Further to this approach, there was then the make-up of Arteta’s team on Sunday. Bukayo Saka, arguably Arsenal’s most potent attacking force, was often seen making tackles in defensive scenarios.
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