Pep Guardiola broke down the simple method behind the complexities of his job as an all-conquering coach at the end of his time at Barcelona: “All I do is study my arsenal and choose the ones I need for each occasion”.
The Manchester City boss was not entirely faultless with his selection throughout the month of September as a perennial Premier League the champions were tied for Inter, Arsenal and Newcastle United. Although qualification for the latter stages of the new Champions League is very much in City’s hands, they have already lost ground in the Premier League so far. table topsLiverpool.
Despite the dropped points, City remain unbeaten. Based on the votes of over 30,000 followers in a poll on 90 minutes Manchester City WhatsApp channel (link below), here are the members of Guardiola’s Arsenal who were firing on all cylinders throughout September.
Savino shocked The League last season with a series of penetrating performances from the sides of a Girona team that finished above the towering Atlético de Madrid in third position. The Brazilian’s coach in Catalonia, Michel, has praised his star striker as “the most surprising talent” in the division.
Guardiola has not been surprised by his £33.7 million contract. As the demanding manager sniffed after Savinho’s stunning debut against Chelsea in August: “I always hope for the best.” The slippery winger, who technically moved to City from second-tier French side Troyes this summer, has come close to living up to his manager’s lofty expectations.
It was Savinho’s inside pitch and perfectly weighted pass that set up City’s first goal in the thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad last month. Bernard Silva He was the player who tempted Leandro Trossard into an unnecessary second yellow card that afternoon, putting in another display on the biggest occasion that showed his craft and guile in equal measure.
Silva has been Guardiola’s luxury utility player for years, appearing in the middle of the defensive midfield, either on the wing or as a number 10 depending on the demands of the team as a whole. Such a strong collective work ethic is embodied by the tattoo on his left bicep that reads, “E pluribus unum,” a Latin phrase that translates to “Out of many, one.”
Erling Haaland He can comfortably be considered Manchester City’s player of the month for September – sweeping more than 70% of the vote – but he started the month with a slight scald from his manager.
Guardiola joked he was “so grumpy” at his number nine for only scoring two goals in one nervy 2-1 win over Brentford. Haaland had finished August with back-to-back Premier League hat-tricks and was on course to become the first player to collect a hat-trick in England’s top flight since 1946.
The corpulent forward was completely exclusive during a goalless stalemate with Inter in City’s Champions League opener before coming out of a draw against Arsenal. Haaland’s popularity extends beyond the club’s fan base, as after that 0-0 draw with the Serie A champions, Inter’s Francesco Acerbi asked his rival for two shirts. The request was vigorously rejected.
Erling Haaland’s Man City stats in September
|
state |
Value in all competitions |
|---|---|
|
games |
4 |
|
goals |
3 |
|
Assistance |
0 |
|
shots |
20 |
|
player |
September appearances |
Poll Votes (Ratio) |
|---|---|---|
|
Erling Haaland |
4 |
23,825 (72.2%) |
|
Savino |
5 |
5,569 (16.9%) |
|
Bernard Silva |
4 |
1,864 (5.6%) |
|
others |
N/A |
1,755 (5.3%) |
