Arteta and his eleven cronies were on a mission. Released in the north of England for a sabotage mission that was to prove decisive for the liberation of the kingdom, for four seasons under the yoke of men in sky blue who confiscate the ball and asphyxiate their opponent to nip any resistance in the bud. Citizens with the air of unbearable top of the class, with their football so clean, almost too perfect, to be bored. If they survived this Sunday, they did come across a snag, which they still had stuck in their throat when they left the pitch, yet very happy to snatch a miraculous point. No one lost this battle, but the twelve bastards of Arsenal sent a clear message: they are the real tough guys of this English championship.
Arteta, Professor of Dark Arts
How far away are the days of nice artists, as beautiful as they were naive, who had vicious adversaries “slapped”in the words of Manu Adebayor. With Arteta in Major Reisman, the Gunners are now masters at manipulating the “dark arts to their advantage”, as Kyle Walker, the first to be bewitched of the day, testified. Pep Guardiola’s captain and loyal soldier was the first to lose his head in the face of the visitors’ cunning. Summoned by Michael Oliver – a referee who was also overwhelmed – along with Bukayo Saka to calm things down, while City found themselves without their metronome Rodri, it was he who was taken aback by the free-kick played quickly by Thomas Partey, who launched Gabriel Martinelli to serve Riccardo Calafiori on a plate to equalise. The Englishman may rant, but, at 34 years old, he was mostly taken for a ride, indolently repositioning himself, handing out instructions when the damage was done, and letting Martinelli get on with his work. A stroke of fate, a second of inattention, and a lethal projection in two passes, which fizzled out. If Arteta learned alongside Pep, he knows how to transform himself into his perfect antithesis to trap him.
“I don’t know if they’ve mastered it, but they’ve been doing it for several years, and it was to be expected.”John Stones admitted. Easily, the good guys fell into the trap. “Call it smart or call it disgusting, it doesn’t matter.”said the Manchester saviour, his nerves still raw. Cunning versus naivety, second act 20 minutes later. After an initial alert on a corner and a point-blank miss from Gabriel, taking advantage of the work of his teammates to hinder Ederson’s exit, these devils Leandro Trossard and William Saliba had plenty of time to repeat their operation on the Brazilian goalkeeper, and see Gabriel propel Arsenal in front. We can discuss the legality of the operation, the act of sabotage in the opponent’s 5.50 meters was perfect, and City could only blame themselves for not having seen what had already happened three minutes earlier coming. Real bastards.
Starving dead on City’s tail
So yes, the excess of unplay was punished (severely) at the end of the first half, with this second yellow card stupidly conceded by Trossard, while everyone was getting ready to return to the locker room. Yes, City ended up coming back, keeping its throne, after 53 minutes of siege in a second half with eleven against ten, spent in the red and white 30 meters, with 90% possession of the ball for 28 attempts against one. During all this time, Mikel Arteta offered us a recital worthy of the Mou of his greatest hours, with an iron defense managing to drive Bernardo Silva and his ilk crazy, to make Haaland’s contribution poor, and İlkay Gündoğan silent.
There was only one team that came to play football. The other went to the limits of what was possible and allowed by the referee.
« There was only one team that came to play football. The other went to the limits of what was possible and allowed by the referee, unfortunately. »chouinait Bernardo Silva. « IThey break the game, and it ruins the rhythm for everyone.accompanied him in concert by John Stones. You’re trying to put together a game to make a difference, and these little stoppages in play stop you from doing so. » Up to 98e minute, Mikel Arteta’s shot was perfect. “They put four players per line, with incredible commitment. We are not capable of doing that.”conceded Pep, a good sport. If Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have managed to keep their hand in the standings, the Gunners have long managed to penetrate the psyche of their opponents to outwit them, and show that they were the real villains of this championship. From the fifth day, the race for the title between the new best enemies is launched as it should be.
City snatch a point from Arsenal
