We finally beat Manchester City in the league last weekend after years of trying since December 2015. Many factors contributed to our victory in that game, and City manager Pep Guardiola, while assessing his team’s performance in their 1-0 defeat, insinuated Arteta’s half-time team talk may have paid off. The Spaniard noted that we returned for the second half with more rhythm, which no doubt helped us win.
We have struggled to establish a rhythm at the staret of the first half and were fortunate not to concede early on. City wasted good opportunities to score. But we were different in the second half. We came back energised and focused and fought hard to win, which we did, thanks to a late goal from Gabriel Martinelli.
“They [Arsenal] started the second half really well with the rhythm. Then it was tight, and they got a deflection goal. They won; congratulations to them,” said Guardiola on Sky Sports about what we (as Arsenal) did differently to earn his side a second league loss in a row, but he hardly admitted that we were by far the better side. “We tried.” he continued. “We did it. I think from both sides there were not a lot of chances. I think both teams did good high pressing. It was tight and in the end, one action, we lost the game.
“Ten minutes was like that [Arsenal on top] and after it was equal. We had also our moments but in general, it was a tight game. Unfortunately, they did it.
The Manchester City manager had noted that we started the second half with a different approach and kept to the rhythm, which is why we won. Arteta and the boys were determined to control our main rivals, and they fought and proved our superiority. If this triumph proves anything, it is that this could be our year.
The international break is once again upon us, and we hope when the league resumes, Odegaard and co. come back in good shape to sustain our unbeaten run.
COYG!
Daniel O
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Arsenal were a different animal in the second half. They outclassed City in every aspect of the game – pressing, passing, ball retention, etc. That’s why ball possession changed from 80% at a point in the first half in favour of City to an overall 53% in favour of Arsenal.
I really enjoyed watching my team in the second half. And I dare say if they continue playing like that, we will have a lot to sing about at the end of the season
Fair play – tho’ we were missing three of our finest, in KdB, Rodri and Stones. And yes, you were missing Saka, who spent three games last season in Ake or Akanjis pocket ;->
We’ll be there end of the season. It’s what we do. See you there!
Jeremy
Fair play about missing key midfielders.
However, lets not mention pockets, unless you want to dig into Saliba’s pocket to look for Haaland.
He was managed nicely by our CB’s, see you at the end of the season.
Touché
Stones actually came on in the second half despite the fact that your mind game king of a manager ruled him out before the game.
“End of season”?? lol, i’ll urge you to forget it dawg, for speedy recovery reasons. thank me later.
@Jeremy Poynton
Fair play dude. I guess Ake missed Saka so much, that when he saw him sitting on the bench, he tried heading the ball his way, but it went in the back of “your” net instead…Jus sayin.
See you at the finish line M8…✌🏾
Both teams played like Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the first half. Then second half, one turned into Mike Tyson and the other turned into Antonio Conte. Kyle Walker didn’t even set foot in Arsenal half after Martinelli came in. And he dragged Foden into his defensive mess too, leaving Zinchenko alone to spread his magic. Jesus made Gvardiol say his prayers everytime he got the ball and Rice went Optimus Prime’s ‘I’ll take you all on.’ And Saliba tossed his car keys to Gabriel for safekeeping because his pockets was getting Haaland heavy.