Gabriel Jesus explains what Arsenal did differently against Manchester City to draw at the Etihad on Sunday, compared to last season’s 4-1 defeat.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Jesus explained that Arsenal were prepared to sit deeper against City than they did in the game last April, hoping to stifle Pep Guardiola’s side and stop them from scoring. They were successful in doing so, even if City defender Manuel Akanji found issue with their tactics, and are in a slightly better position to challenge Liverpool with everyone on the same number of games.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
When City beat Arsenal 4-1 at the Etihad 11 months ago, it was the beginning of the end for the Gunners’ Premier League title bid. City were 3-0 up after 54 minutes, and although Mikel Arteta’s side remained top of the table by two points afterwards, they had played two games more than their rivals and were leapfrogged by the would-be treble winners soon after.
WHAT JESUS SAID
Speaking to the press after the final whistle of the 0-0 draw, Gabriel Jesus said: “To play big games, you have to sometimes change your body language. To come here and play against [City] is not easy. We tried to win, I think we could have won. Maybe we played a different game to what we normally do, but sometimes football is like this. Each game is different.
“We came last season and we suffered a lot, we conceded goals and we made some mistakes. So, to play against this team, normally it is hard and if you make some mistakes, it is even harder. Today was a bit different. We knew from the start at some point we had to suffer a little bit, [playing] deep. They are a team which loves the ball, we do as well, but sometimes it is difficult.”
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WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
Arsenal are only two points behind current leaders Liverpool. All they can do is win as many games as possible to keep the pressure on and be in a position to capitalise if Jurgen Klopp’s side slip up during the run-in. Both must face Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester United before the end of the season, but Arsenal have five home games compared to Liverpool’s four.
