Manchester City’s clash with Arsenal at the Emirates towards the end of September delivered more than just drama, it sparked a heated debate about Pep Guardiola’s tactical approach. In a rare sight under the Spaniard’s management, City appeared to abandon their usual free-flowing, possession-based football for a far more defensive setup after taking the lead.
Erling Haaland’s early strike had put the Citizens in control, but what followed stunned fans and pundits alike. The reigning champions began retreating deeper into their own half, surrendering possession and territory to a dominant Arsenal side. By full time, Guardiola had recorded the lowest average possession figure of his entire managerial career, a statistic that underlined just how “uncharacteristic” the performance truly was.
Stones Explains City’s Defensive Stance
In an interview with TalkSport, City defender John Stones admitted that the decision to “park the bus” was not part of the pre-match game plan, describing it instead as a spontaneous reaction to the game’s intensity.
“It was not planned for us to do that,” Stones said. “I think when you are in a game, you get in different scenarios and have a feeling of pressure or there is a sense within the game that you have to just do that.”
According to Stones, the players’ instincts took over as Arsenal increased the pressure, forcing City to adjust in real time.
“The guys took initiative and did it, and I think that is why it has caused such a stir and become such a big talking point,” he continued. “It wasn’t planned and it is definitely not in our DNA as a team to go out and do that. We don’t want to do that.”
The England international further emphasised that defending deep was never part of City’s footballing identity, acknowledging how difficult and uncomfortable it can be.
“I believe it isn’t the right way to go out and win a football match by sitting on the edge of the box. I’ve played against it enough to know how frustrating it is, and how difficult it is to soak up all that pressure for a long period of the game,” he explained.
Reflecting on the situation, Stones called the team’s reaction “very uncharacteristic,” suggesting it was more of an in-the-moment response than a deliberate tactical shift.
“It was a mixture of things. Definitely not a tactical set-up from us. It was more just feeling the game, and it’s a difficult one for me to say. Looking back at it now, it’s very uncharacteristic.”
While much of the post-match discussion has focused on City’s defensive approach, Arsenal’s intensity and resilience deserve equal praise.
The Gunners never relented, pushing forward relentlessly in search of an equaliser. Their attacking pressure, especially after the introduction of Eberechi Eze into midfield, tilted the momentum completely in their favour.
As the clock ticked down, the Emirates roared to life when Gabriel Martinelli struck a stunning late goal to level the score. That moment not only rescued a crucial point but also marked a turning point in Arsenal’s campaign.
The Gunners have since built on that momentum, climbing to the top of the Premier League table, and Martinelli’s goal was later crowned the BBC Goal of the Month.
