‘I Don’t Like It’ – Guardiola Hits Career-Low Possession As City Slip At Arsenal

‎Manchester City adopted one of the most defensive approaches seen under Pep Guardiola in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal, retreating deep after taking an early lead.

‎The visitors ended the game in a 5-4-1 shape, with every outfield player committed to protecting their advantage.

‎However, the strategy ultimately failed to secure victory. Gabriel Martinelli struck in the 93rd minute to rescue a point for the Gunners and steal the spotlight.

‎City finished the game with 32.8% possession, according to Opta, the lowest recorded in a top-flight league match by any of Guardiola’s teams in his glittering career, built largely on controlling possession and suffocating opponents.

‎Guardiola pointed out the quick turnaround from Thursday’s Champions League clash with Napoli and honestly compared City’s performance to Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at the Etihad last season, where they defended with ten men.

‎He also acknowledged that Arsenal’s quality forced him to adopt a pragmatic approach, while downplaying yet another milestone.

‎”I cannot live in this country with another record, you know,” Guardiola told reporters. “I’m so proud of that.”

‎He added, “We don’t want it, but sometimes it happens. One time in 10 years is not bad, right?”

‎Old habits die hard, and Guardiola freely admitted he did not enjoy watching City dig deep for what would have been the grittiest of victories.

‎”I suffer. I don’t like it,” he told reporters.

“I want the ball away, away now.”

‎City remains a team in transition, with the league-winning juggernaut coming to a halt last season, though it was a mark of their strength that they still finished in third place.

‎Guardiola insisted that his immediate focus is on improving the feeling around the squad without setting lofty targets as City adjusts to not being the team to beat.

‎”I want to see the spirit back in the training sessions and enjoying (playing)… we lost it last season, and you have to recover, and this week we recover and you have to continue,” he said.