4 ways Arsenal have evolved into Manchester City and can now take them down

If you cannot (well, not always) beat them, become them.

It is a revised sentiment that Arsenal have taken to heart this term as Manchester City aim for an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title, and present signs indicate the Gunners are well on their way towards breaking the monopoly.

Although our attempts at emulation started four years ago, when Mikel Arteta was first lured from his Etihad post, City-level spending has seen it gather pace in recent times and a well-backed “process” (along with Arteta’s expertise) means the club is now fully equipped to try replicate Sky Blue success.

4 ways Arsenal have evolved into Manchester City- and can end their title dominance

Anyone who finishes above Man City will likely be crowned champions, and here are four ways in which Arsenal have evolved into being that team.

1. Less emotion

Touchline antics would suggest Arteta does not lead by example here, but his tactical setup is certainly helping a young, inexperienced side to better manage their emotions.

Drifting from the free-flowing style of last campaign, the boss has adopted a far more measured approach this year, which is not unlike that of his former mentor.

Like the Champions, Arsenal frequently trumps their opponents in the possession stakes and tends to out-pass them by several hundred passes each game, with such ‘patient’ domination causing the match to slow down, thereby reducing the risk of mistakes and allowing for a controlled unpicking of tough defensive locks.

While it has tarnished our reputation as the league ‘entertainers’, a robotic tack aligns us more closely with the City machine and should see the players keep cool heads when teams try to cause frustration, leaving them better prepared for the title run-in.    

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