Arsenal: 4 positives from last-gasp 2-1 Man City defeat

3. Back Four Limit Man City

Manchester City didn’t register a shot on target in the first half. They would eventually have two, one coming from the penalty spot, and both found the back of the net.

To restrict the side with the most goals in the Premier League to the chances they had is testament to a superb defensive performance. Each member of the back four was aggressive in and out of possession, protected their spaces well and held their line when transitioning.

In front of them Xhaka and Partey kept central areas compact and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli provided fine cover in wide areas while still holding positions to counter with pace.

The key takeaway from the defensive showing was the duels. If a tackle wasn’t won, which was infrequently, the next man along was there to come in and follow up. Standing, sliding and recovery challenges were pinpoint.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, who didn’t even get a training session, will empty his pockets and find Raheem Sterlig when he gets home. On him like a rash every time he received the ball, the England international didn’t get a sniff either side of the 23-year-old who had the whole right side locked down.

Even with ten men Arsenal managed to keep City at arm’s length with their only efforts at goal being a free hit and a lucky ricochet deep into injury time. There a re huge positives to draw from how the team shaped up and performed without the ball.

Continued on next page…