Guardiola Admits Arsenal Forced City Into Counter-Attack Mode

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confessed that his team were forced into an uncharacteristic counter-attacking approach in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.

City, who are renowned for dominating possession, saw just 32.8% of the ball as they absorbed wave after wave of Arsenal pressure. Erling Haaland struck first for the visitors, but substitute Gabriel Martinelli leveled late on to ensure a share of the spoils.

Guardiola, speaking after the match, admitted injuries, fatigue from their emotional Champions League win over Napoli, and Arsenal’s dominance all influenced the decision.

“The game against Napoli was so emotional. We had a lot of fatigue with many players. We also have a lot of injuries,” he said.

“We don’t try to be like this [with the defensive approach], but when the opponent is better, we defend deeper and counter-attack. I would prefer not to do it, but you have to at this level. I take a point, and in some games we have to adjust.”

Opinion: Guardiola’s Pragmatism or Arsenal’s Rising Power?

For years, City have been the standard-bearers of attacking dominance in English football, but Sunday’s game felt different. Was Guardiola’s pragmatism a smart tactical choice, or was it a subtle admission that Arsenal are closing the gap?

Some will argue that the Catalan coach showed humility and intelligence by adjusting his system in a tough away game, especially with a depleted squad. Others, however, may see it as a telling moment: the once untouchable City are no longer dictating terms against their closest rivals.

For Arsenal, this was more than just a point—it was a psychological victory. For City, it was survival.