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“On the one hand there is the genius with two Champions League and eight championships that bear his name. On the other, the former assistant, just ten months after starting his career as a solo coach but already leaving a positive impression, with the conquest of the FA Cup. [n.d.r. e da Supertaça]. This Saturday’s match between Manchester City and Arsenal is the third between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta as coaches, but the first in which the question of whether the student will be able to surpass his teacher is finally beginning to arise, ”Sports Illustrated highlighted one of the great duels of the day in the Premier League. And that was exactly the main reason for interest in Etihad Stadium, even for the trip of both groups from the former MP moved to London.
After a season that began by winning the Super Cup and the League Cup, City secured second place in the Championship (or the first extra Liverpool, which soon decided the issue) but failed in the FA Cup with a defeat in the middle and Above all, he failed in the Champions League, losing to Lyon in the quarterfinals. Solution to improve? He once again makes a strong bet on defense, with the signings of Rúben Dias and Nathan Aké, in addition to the replacement of David Silva by the Spanish Ferran Torres. “I see the arrival of Rúben Dias as if I had a lot at stake. If it doesn’t work out and City doesn’t win the Premier League, it’s Guardiola’s end at Manchester City. Otherwise, you can renew the contract for a few more years. He is trying to replace Kompany and the truth is that he has never had a good record in hiring centers. Even in Barcelona, it is usually the weakness of their teams, ”said Jamie Carragher, former international commentator today.
The pressure is building in Manchester, the pressure is starting to deflate in London. Although he did not enter the Europa League through the Premier League but through the FA Cup, winning the trophy in the final with Chelsea, followed by another victory with Liverpool in the Super Cup, he still had the power to Free the Arsenal of the stigmas and ghosts of the past. Although far from the most direct rivals (or that in the past were the most direct opponents), Mikel Arteta managed to give a new soul to the gunners, also reinforcing a squad that did not register great starts with Thomas Partey, Gabriel, Pablo Marí or Cédric. If the attack was at the level of the best, the defense would have to go in the same direction. And the opening games of the season showed that rise, with just one loss at Anfield to Liverpool among three solid victories opening the Premier League.
“I think we should clarify who the master and the apprentice are. No person who knew Mikel [Arteta] He had doubts about what he could do in a short period of time. It is very good and especially the way the team plays at this time shows the quality it has. He managed to put Arsenal back in the position that was theirs a long, long time ago. He is a competitor, a fighter and he has a clear idea of what he wants to do on and off the field. Anyone who likes it must be more than satisfied with what they have been doing in London, ”said Pep Guardiola at the launch of the meeting. But would it be enough?
It was not. To the demerit of Arsenal, who made one of the lowest offensive quality performances against the top Premier League teams since Arteta took over the team. By the merit of Manchester City, who played a very consistent game especially in the first half when they got the advantage. With the finger of Pep Guardiola, who revolutionized the team positionally and “faked” the strategy of the Londoners to open up soon. How? Rúben Dias played a line of three more open than usual with Kyle Walker on the right and Nathan Aké on the left; João Cancelo played as a false right back, supporting Rodri in the center of the field; Bernardo Silva was a “vagabond” between the lines, remembering in some periods what David Silva did in the team when he played further back in relation to the three most offensive units. And the left hand was one of the best in the field.
???? Bernardo Silva has been EVERYWHERE this half!#MCFC | #MCIARS | #City man pic.twitter.com/UYTrFpnzb3
– Man City Report (@cityreport_) October 17, 2020
Raheem Sterling is the second player to reach the 70-goal mark for Man City in the Premier League. The only other player to do so is Sergio Agüero [180].
Two vital players in his recent success. ???? pic.twitter.com/9nYykcxugy
– Dave Statman (@StatmanDave) October 17, 2020
The goal that decided the match shows this “Extra mobility” of the the citizens: Bernardo Silva further back than normal to build, Agüero going down to receive the ball, Sterling appearing in the goal zone to reload the 1-0 after a shot by Foden saved by Leno (23 ′). The Londoners still had some threats from Pepé and Gabriel, the break came even with the advantage of those visited and the second half confirmed only the greater quality and maturity of City, which showed a more pragmatic version of the normal in a team that although he does not have the classic line of four in defense gave Arsenal fewer opportunities.
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