If it wasn’t for the very mutual admiration between the two coaches, Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City would have felt like a game straight out of yesteryear.
A scrap akin to those iconic, blood-thirsty Manchester United vs Arsenal battles. A throwback to the bitter Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez rivalry, perhaps. It had it all.
Four goals, a 98th-minute equaliser, a contentious red card, countless flash points. Of course, given their past together, Pep Guardiola was never going to go in two-footed – metaphorically, of course – on his old right-hand man Mikel Arteta at full-time.
Rather than bemoan that deepest of deep blocks – Arteta parking not one bus but a whole fleet of them in front of David Raya’s goal after Leandro Trossard suffered the same fate as Declan Rice at Brighton when picking up a needless second yellow – Guardiola was instead gracious in his praise for the Premier League’s finest defensive set-up.
Guardiola lauded the ‘incredible’ William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes pre-match.
Saliba and Gabriel were labelled Europe’s best by Rio Ferdinand too. And the Arsenal giants certainly lived up to that billing with a pair of typically imperious displays.
Man City spent the second 45 minutes plus stoppage time banging their heads against Arsenal’s brick wall backline until John Stones popped up at the death.
Pep Guardiola hails William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes as Arsenal frustate Manchester City
Gabriel, just like in last week’s 1-0 win at North London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, also showcased his game-changing talents at the other end of the pitch.
A trademark Bukayo Saka corner, and a trademark thumping header by a man who continues to blossom into arguably the greatest set-piece threat in the division.
“The second goal, we didn’t defend well. We have to do better with Gabriel,” Guardiola said during his post-match press conference, also highlighting the contributions of Riccardo Calafiori, Thomas Partey and half-time substitute Ben White.
“But give credit to them. Incredible, they are so strong, they block a lot of plays. Gabriel is so strong in that position. Give credit to them.
“With a game of 10 against 11, it’s different. Of course, they defend so, so deep. You can cross, yeah, but with Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, White, Partey, it’s not easy.
“But give credit to Arsenal. They defend, block, defend crosses, they defend altogether.”
Guardiola also lauds Riccardo Calafiori’s maiden Arsenal goal
Calafiori, starting a Premier League game for the first time and lining up at left-back, also showed that a defender in Arteta’s team is not only there to keep the ball out of the net.
The £33 million signing from Bologna curled home a stunning strike from the edge of the box after Arsenal’s quickly-taken free-kick left Man City stunned.
Calafiori is starting to show why he has been labelled ‘a great footballer’ as well as a great defender.
And while the City players were left incensed as referee Michael Oliver allowed Arsenal to take the dead-ball quickly, Guardiola had no such complaints.
Or, at least, he was not willing to air those grievances publicly. Opting instead to focus on his City side switching off and the quality of Calafiori’s eventual finish.
“We have to re-organise better because we know that Arsenal, every time there [is a] free-kick, they are really quick with [Gabriel] Martinelli and Saka,” Guardiola said at his post-match press conference.
“Calafiori made an exceptional goal.”
Two of only four unbeaten teams in the Premier League at this stage, Stones’ last-gasp leveller ensures that Man City remain top. Two points clear of Arsenal.
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