Arsenal earned an impressive 2-0 away to Manchester City this weekend, which saw the Gunners having just 35% possession. Arsene Wenger’s men had a gameplan from the start to nullify the threat of City’s creative players, and it was very successful with David Silva and Sergio Aguero enduring quiet afternoons.
It’s not often that the Londoners allow so much possession to any opposition, with Arsenal normally synonymous with playing a high defensive line – and their players pressing in the opponent’s half – but this time the backline sat deep, and the midfield followed.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina was hardly called into action during the 90 minutes, and the centre-backs were barely breaking a sweat due to how organised the Gunners were. Manager Arsene Wenger was full of praise for his side’s discipline, and believed they controlled the game to keep City at bay.
“Our defence has been questioned a lot (this season). The target was to put it right, and to win a big game away in the league. (We showed) great unity, solidarity, togetherness and compactness in our team. We had the consistent discipline for 90 minutes that’s needed in big games, and we looked in control away from home. Finally (we‘ve) got a big win in a big game away from home,” he said.
The most pertinent question Wenger was asked in his post-match interview was why it had taken him so long to adopt this obvious tactic in the big games. The 65-year-old was cautious with his answer, insisting he’s played defensive in the past, but this really was a new-look to Arsenal that hadn’t been seen in years.
Arsenal have been on the end of thrashings in recent years against the elite clubs in the Premier League, with Wenger naming offensive-minded teams to try and match their opponents. It simply hasn’t worked time and again, but their new approach did the job perfectly.
Parking the bus and staying in the game means any half chance that went their way could be pivotal, and they were awarded a first-half penalty that Santi Cazorla scored from to give the Gunners the lead.
The last time Arsenal won in the league at the Etihad Stadium was 2010, and now many will be paying attention to see how often Wenger looks to play defensive again. Supporters had been crying out for the Londoners’ boss to finally adopt a ‘park the bus’ method, as humiliating losses had become too hard to take.
