Guardiola also said his team couldn’t press much because Mikel Arteta’s side played mainly long balls during the encounter
By Kehinde Okeowo
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has explained why his team played a 0-0 draw against Arsenal in Sunday’s Premier League tie at the Etihad Stadium.
The Gunners restricted Guardiola’s men to just one shot on target and ensured they did not find the net for the first time in 48 league matches at home during the encounter.
Speaking after the game, The Spanish tactician said Arsenal had many players marking Erling Haaland.
He went on to say his team couldn’t press much because Mikel Arteta’s side played mainly long balls during the encounter.
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He then hailed the North London club for defending really well against his team.
Guardiola said: “I prefer to win, but [will] take the point. It was a hard game. The team make me so proud,” Guardiola was quoted by Man City’s website as saying.
“The space was really difficult to find. We cannot press much because they played mainly long balls.
“Arsenal have scored many and conceded few. We didn’t create much, it was almost actions, but they defend really well. We tried.
“They defend well and had a lot of players surrounding Erling.”
The draw means the Citizens remain third on the league table with 64 points, while Arsenal dropped to the second position after gaining 65 points in 31 league matches.
Meanwhile, Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-1 in the earlier game played at Anfield to go top of the table with 67 points. They are now 2 points ahead of their nearest challengers, the Gunners.
Man City will on Wednesday take on Aston Villa at home, while Arsenal will play Luton Town. Liverpool on the other hand, will host bottom placed Sheffield United on Thursday.
