Man City vs Arsenal: 3 things Arteta must do to beat his master Guardiola
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What Arteta must do to beat Guardiola || Imago || designed by Stephen

Man City vs Arsenal: 3 things Arteta must do to beat his master Guardiola

Stephen Oladehinde 14:45 - 30.03.2024

Arsenal prepares to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, with Mikel Arteta looking to get his first win at City’s home ground.

Arteta, a former assistant to Guardiola at City, faces a daunting challenge but holds the key to orchestrating an upset.

The Gunners have failed to win at the Etihad in their last eight attempts and will be looking to break their poor run over Man City.

We at Pulse Sports take a look at three strategic moves Arteta must execute to topple Pep Guardiola in their top-of-the-table clash.

3 key things Arteta must do

Tactics must be top-notch

Arteta must exhibit tactical flexibility to keep Guardiola guessing. Arsenal's formation and style of play should disrupt City's rhythm and exploit their vulnerabilities. 

Shifting between a compact defensive setup and quick, incisive counter-attacks can catch City off guard, providing Arsenal with crucial opportunities to penetrate their defence.

The Gunners boss must also utilise the advantage of Kai Havertz who is good at aerial duels to help with hold-up play.

Kai Havertz in action for Arsenal || imago
Kai Havertz in action for Arsenal || imago

Exploit Defensive Frailties

Arteta’s Arsenal should target vulnerable areas in City's backline, capitalizing on lapses in concentration or positioning. 

Utilizing pace and creativity in the final third can create scoring chances, putting City's defence under sustained pressure and increasing Arsenal's chances of finding the back of the net.

Saka and Martinelli || Credit: The Times
Saka and Martinelli || Credit: The Times

The likes of Martinelli and Bukayo Saka will be crucial to the Gunners' setup and how prolific they are in attack.

Capitalize on Set-Piece Opportunities

Arteta must devise inventive set-piece routines has been an issue for many teams in the Premier League and this provides another option for Arsenal in attack.

Declan Rice scores Arsenal's winning goal with a header against Luton Town || Imago
Declan Rice scores Arsenal's winning goal with a header against Luton Town || Imago

Arsenal are the only team with the highest goal from set pieces in the Premier League which shows how dangerous they are.

Corner kicks and free kick routine should give Arsenal an attacking edge and create goal-scoring opportunities potentially tipping the balance of the game in their favour.

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