Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that Arsenal are stronger than his team when it comes to focus, and that yesterday’s game would have been impossible for his team without the physical presence of Erling Haaland in front.
The Norway international scored Man City’s opener in their 2-2 draw with the Gunners, who looked set for a shock victory with just ten men, only for John Stones to eventually find a nasty equalizer in the discount time
Arsenal defended deep and looked to be keeping City at bay, with Guardiola speaking after the game about how his players kept trying, only to find the visitors stronger in the middle.
The Spanish tactician said that without Haaland this game would have been “impossible” for City, who for the most part could not find a way to overcome the physical presence of Mikel Arteta’s men.
“We tried to find the right center, but in the center they are stronger,” Guardiola told reporters in his post-match press conference.
“Imagine today without Erling (Haaland) … it would have been impossible.”
He added: “Overall it was an entertaining game that I’d rather win, but OK, I’ll take the point.”
City have failed to beat Arsenal in their last four meetings, with Arteta seemingly finally finding a way to stifle the quality of Guardiola’s players.
It certainly promises to be another intriguing title race between these two teams after just two points separated them last season in a dramatic contest that went down to the final day of the season.
