Pep Guardiola has lauded Manchester City for their honesty in attempting to secure victory against Arsenal's tactics during their contentious 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Leandro Trossard's dismissal after receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away as Arsenal led 2-1 forced Mikel Arteta to adjust his strategy, slowing the game down with various methods. City eventually equalized in the 99th minute through John Stones.
When questioned about how his team managed Arsenal's attempts to secure their first win at City since 2015, Guardiola emphasized the importance of focusing on the game and defending. 'We are an honest team. We try to do our best,' he stated, acknowledging that while tactics can be countered, behaviors cannot be controlled.
Post-match, Stones and Bernardo Silva criticized Arsenal's 'dirty' approach and 'time wasting,' with Manuel Akanji describing Arteta's side as experts in the so-called dark arts. Guardiola, however, declined to comment on Arsenal's tactics, focusing instead on his team's performance and the points earned.
The City manager drew parallels to a 2010 Champions League semi-final where his Barcelona team struggled against a 10-man Inter side, highlighting the challenges of managing such situations. He praised his team's composure and ability to stay in the game, despite the difficulties posed by Arsenal's tactics.
City currently leads the Premier League with 13 points, two ahead of Arsenal in fourth. Guardiola acknowledged the tough competition from Arsenal, who have been contenders in the last two seasons. Despite injuries to key players like Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne, Guardiola remains optimistic about his team's prospects.
Erling Haaland, who scored his 100th goal for City in the match, will not face FA action for his altercations with Arsenal players, ensuring that the focus remains on the game and the title race.
