Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta are the only managers in the Premier League this season whose teams are yet to lose a game this season after Manchester City and Arsenal shared the spoils in a dramatic 2-2 draw.
However, unlike Arteta’s Gunners side who have drawn two games, Guardiola’s side have only dropped points in one match this campaign and that occurred during their latest outing on Sunday.
With the £378,846-a-week manager being the fierce competitor he is, it is difficult to gauge whether he was happy with the result or not.
After John Stones’ close-range effort hit the back of the net, Pep Guardiola looked visibly delighted and understandably so as his side had showed character to take home a draw.
But Guardiola might also be left wondering whether Arsenal were there for the taking.
Ultimately, Manchester City made several mishaps that also played a part in them managing to draw the game.
Townsend “surprised” by what Man City man did against Arsenal
For instance, Pep Guardiola mentioned Kyle Walker’s shoddy defending for Gabriel Magalhaes’ headed goal to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead in the first half.
Similarly, the hosts could potentially have closed Riccardo Calafiori out better instead of giving him the space and time to open the scoring for the visitors.
In the second half, the North London side were down to 10 men due to Leandro Trossard’s injury and on another day, Manchester City could have demolished them.
But during their latest encounter, City’s attack failed to well and truly capitalise.
As a result, it would be natural for the Catalan tactician to be frustrated when reflecting upon the game.
Andros Townsend admitted on BBC Radio 5 Live that he could not quite fathom why Pep Guardiola did not make changes earlier to spice up Manchester City’s attack against Arsenal.
“I was surprised at least in the last 10, 15 minutes, because Arsenal were allowing the three centre-halves to have the ball just outside their 18-yard box, [Kyle] Walker, [Manuel] Akanji and [Ruben] Dias, that Pep [Guardiola] didn’t just roll the dice and say, I am going to put [Mateo] Kovacic in one of those positions or [Phil] Foden in one of those positions, and say, okay, if you want to give me time and space, I am going to put players there that can thread a ball into the box or can shoot from 25 yards.”
Pep Guardiola has a habit of not making too many substitutions
Ultimately, Pep Guardiola has a habit of being reluctant to bring players off the bench.
It was a surprise to see Guardiola introduce Phil Foden on at half-time in Manchester City’s 0-0 draw against Inter Milan, considering he was already forced to also substitute Ilkay Gundogan on for the injured Kevin De Bruyne.
Perhaps the two-time treble-winning manager wishes to give his players enough time to find a solution before making any radical changes.
Ironically, one of Pep Guardiola’s substitutes in John Stones saved City’s blushes.
More often than not, Guardiola’s decision not to make too many substitutions is vindicated.
Whether the Spaniard will change his ways going forward in a similar situation where Manchester City are in desperate need for a goal.
