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Gary Neville compared Manchester City’s methodical way of getting rid of Arsenal to boxer Floyd Mayweather by scoring 18 straight wins.
Raheem Sterling’s first goal won the match against City at the Emirates, their thirteenth consecutive victory in the Premier League, meaning they are still 10 points ahead of second-placed Manchester United.
Speaking on Gary Neville’s podcast, Neville said the victory reminded him of a Floyd Mayweather fight, taking an early lead and keeping it smothering the opponent in a methodical way.
Neville also believes the City’s previous problems – being caught in possession with too many players on the field – are now less frequent.
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“If you think back to the last few years, we know Pep’s teams are all about possession, but when he’s been most successful, he’s had great defensive records.
“I thought the weakness of Manchester City last year was that when they kept the ball high up on the field, which they have always done with Pep Guardiola, the problem is that they allow teams to go through them too easily. But they are keeping them. attacks. again.
“I used the word asphyxia because the two full-backs press, Joao Cancelo enters, Oleksandr Zinckenko enters, Fernandinho is there and they have that block of five players, two behind, three in front. So when any team recovers it, they have nothing to come back for .
“They’re so aggressive, so connected, compact on the ball and out of possession. He’s brilliant to watch. He’s methodical.
“It almost got too easy for Manchester City at Arsenal. I used Floyd Mayweather’s expression, because it was like City had won the first three rounds, got in front and then just hit for the next nine rounds.
“Being able to do that is special. I remember that when we played away games in the Premier League, in many games that we won 1-0, it was always an onslaught in the last 10 minutes. But Pep Guardiola’s team wins games without that attack. It’s really special, and the bravery in that defense is fantastic. “
Arsenal’s priorities are clear
Arsenal made five changes since the Europa League round of 32 first leg draw at Benfica midweek, and Neville believes the selection shows where Mikel Arteta’s priorities lie for the rest of the season.
“The teams he chose against Leeds and Benfica were the same team, so I would say that it is his strongest side. But I think the message would have been sent loud and clear: he is changing it today, and his strongest team will be on his side. return against Benfica.
“Arteta could have made the five or six changes against Benfica and prioritized the game against City. By not doing so, he sends the message to the players that the priority is, the competition that he feels will bring the most success this season.
“He tells you that he has ruled out the possibility of being in the top four, which is probably correct. I don’t think Arsenal will get there.”
Arsenal XI vs Benfica: Leno, Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Cedric, Ceballos, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang
Arsenal XI vs Man City: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Mari, Tierney, Elneny, Xhaka, Pepe, Odegaard, Saka, Aubameyang
Analysis: Is Ruben Dias defending the PFA Player of the Year award?
Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones on Hits and Misses:
There was a feeling at Manchester City that they would never see Vincent Kompany again when he hung up his boots. Well, not only have they replaced him, they may have surpassed him with the talents of the imperious Ruben Dias, who was magnificent when City scored 18 wins in a row in another defensive masterclass performance against Arsenal.
Jamie Redknapp called it ‘phenomenal’ afterwards, while Gary Neville presented him with the man of the match award, saying: “It was an absolutely fantastic performance again. I thought (Aymeric) Laporte would be the stone of this defense for many years to come, but Dias is turning out to be the star man. We asked how they would replace (Vincent) Kompany. Well, watching Dias week after week, he’s so young, physically brilliant, great on the ball, and has real leadership qualities. He was outstanding today. “
The conversation has been relatively quiet around the PFA Player of the Year voting, which is done by the pros in the spring, but Bruno Fernandes is apparently the big favorite. However, it will surely be difficult to take on a player from a club that is galloping towards the Premier League title with the potential to break all defensive records in the process. Now it’s 11 clean sheets and just two goals conceded in 13 Premier League starts alongside John Stones for the brilliant Dias. They are a great couple.
Is it possible for a defensive player to receive his teammates’ votes for the award? History suggests that it is difficult but doable. Virgil van Dijk was the most recent winner in 2019, while N’Golo Kante overcame the most obvious case for Eden Hazard in the 2017 award. Dias deserves a shout out.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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