Arsenal Vs Manchester City: 5 things we learned – Unai Emery got it wrong

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1089388290,1072868284 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City (L) and Arsenal manager Unai Emery. Manchester City and Arsenal meet in a Premier League match on February 3, 2019 in Manchester, England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City looks on before the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Arsenal manager Unai Emery looks on ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Qarabag FK at Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1089388290,1072868284 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City (L) and Arsenal manager Unai Emery. Manchester City and Arsenal meet in a Premier League match on February 3, 2019 in Manchester, England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City looks on before the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Arsenal manager Unai Emery looks on ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Qarabag FK at Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City battles with Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City battles with Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

2. Matteo Guendouzi is a star

Arsenal fielded a central midfield pairing that consisted of a 22-year-old and a 19-year-old. Both played well, especially in the first half, with the latter, Matteo Guendouzi, looking mightily impressive against two of the best midfield players in the world.

In the first half, Guendouzi recovered possession six times and completed 22 of his 22 pass attempts. The only other player to complete the same number is goalkeeper Bernd Leno, but his accuracy rate was down at 57%. Guendouzi was asked to do a thoroughly thankless and extremely challenging task. He performed it admirably.

It is easy to forget how young he is. The fact that he is playing regularly, in central midfield, as a teenager, is an astounding achievement, a sign of his potential and future stardom. He is an individual around which Unai Emery can build, and that is very positive indeed.