Mikel Arteta admits putting Arsenal’s ‘ideology aside’ to defy Manchester City
Team’s ‘resilience’ praised before planned reset against LutonJurrien Timber has ‘good chance’ of returning this season
Mikel Arteta says he put his “ideology aside” to secure Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Manchester City as he prepared to reset for Wednesday night’s home game against Luton. The Arsenal manager organised his team in a low block at the Etihad Stadium, ordering them not to be lured out or to leave any spaces. They had just 27% of possession, playing 269 passes to City’s 700 while they committed 20 fouls.
The point was everything to Arteta in terms of the Premier League title race, as was preventing City from scoring at home for the first time in 58 matches – a club-record run that went back to 9 March 2022 and the 0-0 with Sporting in the Champions League last 16 second leg. City were 5-0 up from the first leg.
