Analysis: Arsenal

In their first Premier League fixture since the departure of Arsene Wenger, Arsenal started in a 4-2-3-1 structure under new head coach Unai Emery. Summer recruit Matteo Guendouzi was a surprise selection in central midfield, as the teenager made his debut alongside Granit Xhaka in a two-man defensive midfield block.

The Gunners favoured a short build, looking to play expansively when goalkeeper Petr Cech restarted play. They looked comfortable in possession in the opening exchanges, with Xhaka and Guendouzi collectively dropping between the two centre-backs to create a four-on-three overload against Manchester City’s forward line. Despite a new identity clearly in the works, Arsenal were far more effective and productive when sending long balls forward in the channels for lone striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to chase against a high defensive line.

After frequent short restarts from Cech, Pep Guardiola’s City team changed their pressing approach, allowing Arsenal to build short and travel out with the ball. City’s back line then squeezed high, condensing the distance between their forwards and defence. Arsenal lacked the quality and rotations to play through such a compact unit, and the away side often recovered first-half possession using this strategy.

As City began to dominate possession, Arsenal’s search for any form of sustained possession became desperate. They resorted to needless and often ineffective passes back to Cech, but with the back line failing to drop into receiving positions quickly enough, the goalkeeper lacked consistent short passing options. Cech, looking increasingly uncomfortable, could provide little more than aimless long balls forward for City’s back line to recover with ease.

Persistent overlaps and underlaps from Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy forced Mesut Ozil into deep defensive work, but this eventually affected his performance with the ball. Repeated recovery runs drained the German, as once he moved into the final third his lack of energy resulted in uncharacteristic poor touches and loose passes. His lack of attacking input continued well into the second half.

Arsenal continued to force long balls forward after the break, but City’s back line was comfortable in nullifying any potential threat. John Stones in particular was magnificent in the air; his all-round defensive performance kept the Arsenal attack at bay.

Nonetheless, the introduction of Alexandre Lacazette for Aaron Ramsey created a more potent front three. Ozil returned to his more familiar number 10 role, with Aubameyang moving wide left. Arsenal subsequently created a number of second-half chances, as Mendy moved inside as a false full-back, leaving the away side to defend three-on-three situations. Despite both Lacazette and Aubameyang working shots on goal, neither could really test Ederson.

Lacazette’s cameo proved he is a far more efficient number nine than Aubameyang. His ability to hold up play and link with runners, plus his all-round battling ability, helped Arsenal recover a high proportion of long balls forward. Ozil then had more time and space to dictate play, as Lacazette prefers to move away from the ball, which in turn drew defenders away from the playmaker.

Lucas Torreira’s brief appearance also highlighted his attributes with the ball. One superb splitting pass set Aubameyang on his way to finish on goal, but he was called offside. In the end, the reigning champions just had too much for this new-look Arsenal side.