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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended his tactics and team’s performance against Manchester City on Sunday. The Gunners were forced to finish the match down a man after Leandro Trossard was controversially sent off just before halftime. Arsenal was leading the reigning Premier League champions at the time of the red card.
City, quite predictably, dominated the second half with the advantage. Arteta’s team, on the other hand, opted to sit back and defend the lead for the entire half. The title holders racked up over 80% possession and had 24 total shots in the latter period. Despite this, the Gunners still managed to hold on for a draw. City defender John Stones eventually scored the tying goal deep into added time. The reigning champions recorded an xG of just 1.04 during this domination.
Time-wasting criticism debunked by statistical analysis
After the massive match, City players, rival fans, and even some pundits complained that Arsenal employed “dark arts” to nab a draw on the day. Those not satisfied with Arsenal’s play criticized the time-wasting tactics of Arteta’s team.
Nevertheless, statistics showed that the ball was actually in play for the fifth-longest of any Premier League game so far this season. Despite this, match officials opted to pick an incredible 17 total added minutes between the first and second halves.
Arteta addressed the issue on Tuesday. The regularly scheduled press conference comes as the Gunners are set to host Bolton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. “I always prefer the facts to words or supposing things,” claimed the coach. “Let’s see who is available tomorrow and then we can talk about ‘dark arts’ or these things or if it’s a reality. Unfortunately, yes there will be a few players not available.”
The Arsenal boss made three second-half substitutions in the match against City. At least two of these alterations involved injured players. Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber both…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/critics-wrong-about-arsenals-tactics-against-man-city/
Author : Chris Moore
Publish date : 2024-09-24 15:08:14
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