Manchester City were able to return to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over former leaders Arsenal. A couple of bad decisions from the home team turned the game in the favour of the defending champions, and they now have a slight advantage in the title race.
Pep Guardiola has earned a reputation for experimenting with some crazy tactics in big games. And in the win against Arsenal, he went back on the one pillar of his style of play that has always stood. Possession of the ball.
Manchester City won vs Arsenal with only 36% possession
Guardiola has always followed the idea that attack is the best form of defence. And the best way to prevent the opposition from winning is to not let them have the ball. But against his former apprentice, he did exactly the opposite.
Arsenal had more of the ball, but were not able to do much with it. City registered more shots on target (6) in comparison to their opponents (1), and Ederson barely had to make a save.
In fact, this is the lowest amount of possession that any Guardiola team has had throughout his managerial career. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has turned Manchester City into the most formidable force in England. And with the way things are clicking for them again, they might be able to defend their title once again.
Arsenal do have a game in hand, but their advantage will only be of one point if they do win. But as we’ve seen in the past, one point can make all the difference when it comes to deciding the title.
