In the aftermath of Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal, one man who generated headlines was Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola’s defensive setup against Arsenal emerged as one of the biggest talking points from the game as he played a 5-4-1 setup in the second half, which is atypical of the Catalan tactician.
However, the Manchester City boss has shown over the years that he is always willing to adapt his ideas.
The veteran’s plan almost worked before Gabriel Martinelli lobbed the ball over Gianluigi Donnarumma as City could only take home a point.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Pep Guardiola expressed his dissatisfaction about the fact that Manchester City had to play Arsenal just two days after facing Napoli in the Champions League: “[Arsenal] were better and we were incredibly tired. Sometimes people don’t realise, the game against Napoli in the Champions League was so emotional, after that a recovery day and the day after you have to (travel) four, five hours (to London).”
“But if you want to bring up the fact that now I’m complaining for the schedule, okay, I’m complaining for the schedule!”
Chris Sutton disagrees with Pep Guardiola as he complains about Man City’s schedule after Arsenal clash
However, Chris Sutton was not a fan of Pep Guardiola’s comments after Manchester City’s draw against Arsenal as he dissected the game on BBC Sport’s 606 Football Phone In show.
Sutton believes that top players, such as those at Guardiola’s disposal, are treated very well when they travel, which ensures they are not fatigued in the lead-up to games.
The former Celtic striker said: “Do you know what, Rob? Just going back to something Pep said about the travel being demanding. Really?”
“You know, I’m not having that. We had the Wrexham fan on last night who had to get on a bus replacement service because he was traveling to Norwich and on a train, had to get on a bus.”
“These players are pampered, Rob, as we were pampered as players. I mean, you get everything done for you.”
Man City’s injury situation proves Pep Guardiola is right
Ultimately, Chris Sutton perhaps failed to consider the fact that Pep Guardiola has named the same starting XI for Manchester City’s games against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal.
While some may question why Guardiola did not rotate his side, it is key to take City’s injury absences into account as well as the fact that he seems to be trusting his best XI at the moment. Four players are currently sidelined due to injury, with some recently returning to the squad.
- Omar Marmoush
- Rayan Cherki
- Rayan Ait-Nouri
- Mateo Kovacic
- Nathan Ake (now fit but is yet to start this season after being injured)
- John Stones (returned from injury against Arsenal)
Abdukodir Khusanov suffered an injury against Arsenal, which further adds to their woes.
Pep Guardiola is unlikely to pay too much attention to the outside noise as it goes without saying that most managers would be frustrated about playing two games in the space of four days.
