Match Thread | Man City vs. Arsenal (31/03/24)

[Keeper!]

Lewis and his lack of height and strength could cost us, they will target him 100%

 

[SebastianBlue]

Bit like the opening period of a hardcore BDSM session: domination but very little penetration.

Despite what Inner Party Chairman Arteta may have said, it is obvious that they didn’t setup to go for it. They’re playing like Sheffield United in a defence v attack drill, so chances are going to be at a premium for both sides.

Even so, they’ve had the better of the chances, as we have been a little sloppy, especially on the left side, leading to most of their forays in to our third.

If we can clean that up, and look to involve Phil and Erling a bit more, I think we could make the domination count in the second half. Their press is uncharacteristically terrible so far and they may get more desperate to close as the minutes tick away.

We need to be careful about how much Lewis tucks in and Gvardiol advances forward, though, as they are setting pocket press traps for Rodri, which have lead to two counters, one that nearly saw us concede. It looks like Odegaard’s role is to trigger that targeted press when Rodri drives forward and get behind him to receive the ball if Arsenal are able to nick it. With Gvardiol forward and Lewis tucked, they then have Saka and Jesus bomb in to the vacated space, and split our centre backs. Pep has undoubtedly noticed that pattern of play and will make the necessary adjustments.

Still think we win this.

Up the blues!

 

[Gabriel]

They’re playing not to lose and hope
For a mistake or quick break.

That’s what I mean. It’s rather uninspiring from them given our deficiencies and making for stodgy fare. We have no natural width, either in terms of wing play or overlapping fullbacks, so we’re predictably funnelling everything through a congested middle, which makes us easy to keep at arm’s length. It’ll probably take a strike from distance to win like this.

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

As expected from the Goons , for all the pre-match bullshit about attacking us Legohead was never going to do it , they are playing for a 0-0 until 90 minutes and hoping for another deflected scrappy goal. This game is only confirming how far we are way from last season , the Goons tried the same tactics and we blew them away.
Nothing will change in the second half , the Goons will not come out and try to take our title they havent got the balls for it , its down to us to create an opening , but Foden and KDB cant find the room against a well organised team that has come for a point

 

[SouthernPlastic]

1-0 City Rodri, final score

Followed by the best shirt off knee slide you’ve ever seen and Arsenal fans throwing rubbish on the pitch.

 

[Mancity1980]

Stat padding so it looks fair.

Punters will see x number of cards per side in the post-match stats, but it never tells the full story when one side gets an early booking for a nothing-challenge and the other side get to foul with impunity for 80 minutes and then pick up a couple of late cards when the tie is essentially over.

Exactly, it looks fair but it isn’t.

 

[meeesh]

Thought title chasing Arsenal might have come to give us a game.

Exactly, I’m outside on spiral now having a vape thinking this Arsenal have come with Stoke tactics, but according to that clown on here they’ve closed the gap on us, have they fuck, get one here we win it

 

[leo_city]

Can tell Pep doesn't trust Dias, Ake (now Lewis) and Gvardiol with the ball against this team, so he's got Kovacic babysitting them essentially. Problem is it's killing us up the other end and leaving Foden, De Bruyne and Haaland miles apart without any connective tissue between them linking everything together. We're dealing well enough with Arsenal's attack but we're a man short when trying to build our own moves. Grealish and Stones, if he's fit, needed.

That’s understandable because Dias isn’t that good on the ball. He’s struggling to break the lines hence Kovacic has to sit even deeper to help in build up, Rodri being used more advanced for odd in the box opportunity

 

[Zenmanc]

Thought title chasing Arsenal might have come to give us a game.

All they need is a ball over the top or a(nother) bobble in the back to take 3 points.

 

[Keeper!]

We haven't got going at all, Moving the ball far too slowly and looks very disjointed.

We really miss Stones when he doesn't play to link the play and that player to.play between the lines.

Looks like it will take an error or scruffy goal for a winner.

We need to get at Kiwior more that's where we'll get our joy.

Taylor is also a useless ****. Arsenal constantly making tactical fouls gone unpunished, No doubt Rodri will have one and he'll get booked straight away as per.

We have not looked the team that used to rip teams apart for some time, far too one paced and predictable