The tactical conundrum behind Arsenal’s quest to end absurd Man City streak
On Thursday evening, Arsenal were still hoping that Bukayo Saka would feature on Sunday, but Mikel Arteta has had to start drawing up alternative plans. And that could serve his side well in a pivotal clash with the potential to define the title race. It is no bad thing to have Pep Guardiola second-guessing you, and the Manchester City manager can take that to third-, fourth- or even beyond fifth-guessing. The Catalan will be rolling everything around in his mind, having pored over recent footage. Most of the footage of recent Arsenal-City games, mind, has been all too clear. They’ve all gone one way, to an almost farcical degree. City have beaten Arsenal for 12 successive Premier League games. That run would be bad enough if it was over a bottom-half side, but it is virtually unprecedented among financial heavyweights or the old “big six”. Arsenal have admittedly had many iterations throughout what was a transformative and often difficult period in their history, but you have to go back to a Shkodran Mustafi header in April 2017 for the last time they even claimed a point off City. And you have to go back to December 2015, and goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud, for Arsenal’s last victory in the fixture. That is what Arteta is trying to overcome, as he makes constant appeals to only consider the present and the future. It is not just about revenge for last season, a quick recovery after a shock defeat to RC Lens or even reasserting Arsenal’s title credentials after a rare City defeat. It will be about overcoming the knowledge that the champions almost always beat them. That can be a huge psychological factor for a team, creating a fatalism, even subconsciously. Arteta can at least point to one big victory in the FA Cup as well as this summer’s shoot-out win in the Community Shield, but the fact that the Premier League represents their great ambition means there’s a different feel to it. It’s something they need to address, especially if they are to actually beat City in the league. It is one of those psychological hurdles that needs to be overcome, just as City faced with Manchester United after the Abu Dhabi takeover. The Community Shield may still influence this, mind, because of how Guardiola did something so different in that game. He decided to properly bait the press, in the same way that Roberto De Zerbi has made this his great innovation. Arsenal didn’t bite, and came through the game, but it has almost set a kind of tactical arms race in motion; where last season’s top two keep trading significant moves that could affect the course of this year. Arsenal beat City to Declan Rice, City attempted to undercut Arsenal’s entire approach by baiting the press. Arsenal didn’t respond but are trying to add more tactical variety to last season, meaning they didn’t start the campaign as well as the champions. City then lost Rodri to a red card and unexpectedly lost a game, allowing Arsenal back in. That could now be offset with the absence of Saka, as both managers attempt to figure out what happens next. Perhaps Arsenal are “due”, but that could have been said years ago. Will Guardiola attempt to bait Arsenal again? Does Arteta prepare for that, or something different altogether? Both of these managers could send each other down all manner of avenues with second guesses. And how it all ends may depend on just who starts. Read More Bukayo Saka ‘in contention’ for Arsenal vs Man City as Gareth Southgate reveals plan Gareth Southgate gives Bukayo Saka injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Man City Manchester City can put a stamp on the season with Arsenal win – Rico Lewis Bukayo Saka ‘in contention’ for Arsenal vs Man City as Gareth Southgate reveals plan Gareth Southgate gives Bukayo Saka injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Man City Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen make England return but Raheem Sterling left out
2023-10-06 21:54
Blue Jackets hire 17-season NHL bench boss Babcock as coach
Mike Babcock, who guided the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup title 15 years ago, was named on Saturday as the new coach...
2023-07-02 02:53
Saudi Wealth Fund Takes $15.6 Billion Hit From SoftBank and Tech
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund reported a $15.6 billion comprehensive loss for 2022 after the value of its
2023-08-06 23:15
10 of the best and most baffling Halloween costumes for 2023
Pumpkins, witches, black cats – forget it. If you want to slay at Halloween these days, you’ve got to think outside the box. Of course, few of us have the budget or on-call makeup artist to recreate Heidi Klum’s iconic worm get-up, but that’s no excuse not to cause a stir. The internet is awash with weird, wonderful and down-right mind-boggling costume ideas to get your creative juices flowing. And so, with October 31 just a few days away, indy100 has rounded up all the most brilliant and bonkers options to help you secure your place as the belle of the monster’s ball. Pick of the best 1. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce We know you're as invested in this blossoming love story as we are, so get yourself an Eras-style dress and an NFL jersey and prove it. 2. Allan '"There are no multiples of Allan. He's just Allan." So forget Barbie and Ken – don a rainbow-striped flannel shirt and truly stand out from the crowd. 3. Succession's "ludicrously capacious bag" "What's even in there? Huh? Flat shoes for the subway? Her lunch pail? I mean, Greg, it's monstrous. It's gargantuan. You could take it camping. You could slide it across the floor after a bank job." You know what we're talking about. 4. Tanya from the White Lotus "These gays, they're trying to murder me." Gone but never forgotten. 5. ‘Instagram vs reality’ This is both easy to recreate and genius. (Just careful who you ask to be your "reality"...) 6. Bob Ross + painting Euphoria's Lexi inspired a whole generation of Bob Ross costumes. And now they're available on Amazon. Aaand... some weird ones 7. Deer in the headlights Someone came up with this idea and it actually got made. Oh, and it can be yours for a mere £64.99. 8. Spaghetti and meatballs Seeing someone clutching a pair of giant meatballs is not our idea of a Halloween treat. But, hey, if you're into it and you're based in the US, you'll just need to fork out $84.98 to recreate this look. 9. Light plug and socket We would argue that whoever came up with this had the opposite of a lightbulb moment.Though, to be fair, it is pretty creepy. (And can be yours for $31.99 – or around £26 plus shipping.) 10. A pair of trainers Look, we're not trying to be purists and we get that Halloween isn't all about cobwebs and zombies any more but, seriously, what the hell does a pair of sneakers have to do with anything? Honestly, if you think this one is for you, you can pay your £59.99 and jog on, as far as we're concerned. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings
2023-10-23 19:19
Threats, insults, and Kremlin 'robots': How Russian diplomacy died under Putin
Russian diplomacy is no longer about co-operation but "putting Westerners in their place", say ex-Kremlin insiders.
2023-09-03 07:59
Jimmy Fallon's 'a show of hands' segment hilariously spoofs politicians' gestures during speeches
In 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,' he hilariously spoofed politicians’ gestures in his 'A Show of Hands' segment during speeches
2023-11-23 19:22
Kenya police are told not to report deaths during protests. A watchdog says they killed 6 this week
Police in Kenya say they have been ordered not to report deaths amid demonstrations against the rising cost of living
2023-07-20 19:27
Who is Florence Pugh's dad? 'Don't Worry Darling' star's father allegedly struggling to keep business afloat
Clinton Pugh, 64, claimed that bothersome traffic strategies are ruining his business, but said he won't be requesting assistance from his famous daughter
2023-05-26 11:18
Kai Cenat hides under the table in reaction to KaniRosi's 'lie detector' video during livestream
Kai Cenat is in the spotlight for his '7 days in jail' stream success and he recently engaged in reaction content during a Twitch livestream
2023-11-19 21:26
Spain to delay Gavi return until 2025 after Barcelona fury at ACL injury
Spain have decided not to call up Gavi until 2025 following backlash from Barcelona over the midfielder's ACL injury.
2023-11-22 20:52
Mystery Bet Before SEC Crypto Crackdown May Mint Trader Millions
Less than a half hour before US regulators cracked down on a key crypto exchange, an options trader
2023-06-08 04:24
India to impose 28% tax on turnover of online gaming firms
By Nikunj Ohri NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India on Tuesday decided to impose a 28% indirect tax on the turnover of
2023-07-11 22:17
You Might Like...
Faraday Future Delivers Latest FF 91 2.0 to Automotive Enthusiast and Purist Group Founder Sean Lee
'The Voice' Season 24: Who is Jason Arcilla? Gwen Stefani dubbed 'mean' as she blocks Reba McEntire to steal 34-year-old dad
Heat, War and Export Bans: Global Food Threats Are On the Rise
Russia plane crash: What we know so far
Copper giant Codelco raises $2 billion in bond offering
Panama international footballer Hernandez shot dead: police
Quad summit in Australia canceled after Joe Biden shortens Asia trip
PGT Innovations Announces $11M+ Grant of Equity to More Than 5,000 Team Members
