Online Reporter
PEP GUARDIOLA masterminded a 2-0 win over former student Mikel Arteta as Manchester City claimed the League Cup.
Arsenal were hoping to tick off the first title of what would have been an unprecedented quadruple.
Guardiola also specifically targeted ‘keeper Kepa to kill Arsenal’s way of retaining effective possession.
City set up in a 4-2-4 out-of-possession shape with Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku across the front four, but did not press Kepa when he had the ball.
On one occasion, the goalkeeper’s reluctance to play out saw him on the ball for a ludicrous 37 seconds, and City would not have cared one bit about that.
And when he was finally forced into playing long, the City defenders would be aggressive to win the first header, where six attackers were then in front of them to try and win the second ball.
It did not help Arsenal that Martin Zubimendi had a poor game and Declan Rice was unable to get on the ball, and it was more disappointing to see Arteta not attempt to change the game plan at half-time. – The Sun
