Mikel Arteta Stands by Arsenal Tactics in Hard-Fought Draw with Manchester City
In a thrilling encounter at the Etihad Stadium, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta defended his team’s tactics in their 2-2 draw against Manchester City. The Gunners fought valiantly with 10 men after Leandro Trossard’s first-half sending off, holding on to a 2-1 lead until the dying moments of the game. Despite accusations of time-wasting and employing the “dark arts” from City players, Arteta remained steadfast in his belief that Arsenal had little choice but to defend deeply against the relentless attacks from the reigning champions.
Defending Deeply: A Necessary Strategy
Arteta acknowledged the challenges his team faced against City’s numerical advantage, citing a moment in the first half when Guardiola’s side also had to play with 10 men due to Rodri’s injury. The Arsenal manager highlighted the need to adapt to the circumstances of the game, stating, “We had to play the game that we had to play. The first 15 minutes, we couldn’t. They [City] played 30 seconds with 10 men. Look what they did. It’s normal what they did.” Arteta’s reference to a similar situation in the past, where Arsenal suffered a heavy defeat with a man down, emphasized the importance of learning from past experiences and making necessary adjustments to navigate challenging situations on the pitch.
Despite accusations of time-wasting and players going down with cramp during the second half, Arteta remained focused on the task at hand. The Arsenal manager emphasized the need to prioritize actions over words, stating, “I always prefer the facts to words, or supposing things. Let’s see who’s available tomorrow and then we can talk about dark arts or these things.” With several injured players likely to miss the upcoming EFL Cup tie against Bolton, Arteta’s pragmatic approach highlighted the importance of focusing on the present situation and making the best out of the available resources.
Discipline and Adaptation: Key Lessons for Arsenal Players
The sending off of Leandro Trossard for kicking the ball away following a foul on Bernardo Silva raised questions about discipline and awareness among Arsenal players. Arteta acknowledged the need to address such incidents, stating, “For passing the ball [away] you mean? I think so… just leave the ball, don’t touch the ball. We play without the ball.” The Arsenal manager’s emphasis on staying disciplined and avoiding unnecessary actions that could lead to dismissals highlighted the importance of players’ awareness of the rules and their impact on the game’s outcome.
As Arsenal navigates through a challenging period with injuries and suspensions, Arteta’s focus on learning from past experiences, adapting to the circumstances, and maintaining discipline on the field will be crucial in guiding the team through upcoming challenges. The resilience shown by the Gunners in the hard-fought draw against Manchester City serves as a testament to the team’s determination and ability to compete against top opponents in the Premier League.