Guardiola defends Man City defensive tactics in Arsenal draw despite possession record

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised his team's resilience in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal, despite adopting an unusually defensive approach that resulted in a record low possession share of just 32.8% during his tenure. Guardiola acknowledged Arsenal's superiority in the match, which forced City to revert to a back five in an effort to protect their lead from Erling Haaland's early goal, though Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time equalizer denied them victory. While Guardiola admitted he does not enjoy watching his team defend for extended periods, he emphasized the necessity of the strategy given the opponent's strength and the team's fatigue from recent demanding fixtures against Manchester United and Napoli. He credited Arsenal for their performance and highlighted the physical and emotional toll on his players, including injuries and limited recovery time. Guardiola maintained confidence in his squad's progress toward reclaiming the Premier League title, noting the importance of adaptability and mental toughness in high-level competition. Overall, the result was seen as fair and reflective of the challenges faced, with Guardiola expressing pride in his team's effort despite the defensive compromise.