A duel of fit teams and coaches who seem to have found the right formula.
This Saturday, Manchester City of Pep Guardiola - 9 wins in a row - will move to Arsenal - 4 successes in a row - challenge Mikel Arteta's men.
A match in the match between the theorist of the beautiful game and his former assistant for three years (2016-2019).
To discover
Premier League fixtures and results
Premier League standings
An unfulfilled disciple
Asked about the influence he had on his compatriot, the City coach preferred to kick in touch.
“
I didn't inspire him,
” he said
.
What he knows he has learned on his own.
The credit goes to him and also to his staff.
However, in recent weeks, it is difficult not to see similarities in the game advocated by the two coaches.
If Arsenal evolves in 4-2-3-1 and not in the 4-3-3 dear to Guardiola, the principles of play are the same.
The "Gunners" have found a seductive game, where possession and control are the basis of everything.
The pressing is higher than before and less exposed to the defensive gaps of the team.
Proof of this is that Arsenal have conceded only one goal in their last four league games.
Adapt without giving up
Obviously, the residents of Emirates Stadium do not have as many qualities as those of the Etihad. The pressing is lower than that of City and the transmissions in small spaces not as fluid. But Rome was not made in a day and Arteta also knows how to capitalize on the strengths of its workforce.
The Spaniard benefits, unlike his counterpart, from a class front-center. Alexandre Lacazette has been reborn for a few weeks (2 goals, 3 assists in the last five matches), while Guardiola has still not fully resolved his false number 9 equation. Also, Arsenal have become accustomed to playing in transition and are in one of the references. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli martyr the defenses with their liveliness on each block, which is more difficult for City's wingers, used to being installed in the opposing camp.
Arteta explained at a press conference that one thing he had learned from his compatriot was the culture of winning.
“
You have to be ruthless and consistent to build a culture of winning at a club.
“After 2 years at the club, the Spaniard may have finally achieved his goals.
A revenge to take
The end of the tunnel was much less clear last August.
After 3 days, Arsenal still had not scored a goal, nor obtained a point.
Above all, the Gunners had just taken a spanking by ... Manchester City (5-0).
A humiliation that triggered a popular scolding claiming the head of the coach.
After the meeting, Guardiola publicly supported his former disciple, praising the virtues of patience. “
I worked with him for three years and learned a lot,”
he reminded himself.
He is much more than a good manager. I'm a big fan of him and if they trust him he will do a good job at Arsenal.
"
The two men stay in touch and check in regularly, Arteta said.
"
We are still talking, he is a very important person in my life",
confided the coach.
Tactical discussions whose content must be fascinating.
Even more when we know how much Guardiola has confidence in the ability of his former student to straighten Arsenal.
“
In the near future, they will be competitors for the title of champion.
"
There is still a long way to go before the pupil overtakes the teacher, always ahead of his time.
But a good performance could give even more credit to Arteta and his adaptability of the last few weeks.
Because if victory is not essential, a new humiliation would stain Arsenal and his coach.
