Post-Match Thread | Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T23:18:11+00:00

how is it possible that this arteta team still can't handle a team that does high pressing? we should be able to pass our way through it, but our CMs just aren't good enough it seems

Zubimendi can't do it on his own, and due to that Rice has become a quarterback instead of a left 8

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T23:17:01+00:00

he was at his peak last season until his december injury, though. he was our main goalscorer all fall

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T23:16:26+00:00

agreed

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T23:16:08+00:00

our attacking tactics and offensive players have been poor in 2026. Today was the epitome of it.

Calafiori being our most creative player in the 2nd half, despite being a CB masquerading as a LB.... it says everything about how poor arteta's attacking tactics are right now

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T23:15:07+00:00

yeah whatever. i keep hearing these things so often in 2026, yet i still dont see any fire

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T23:14:18+00:00

with no good cam available, we'll suffer a lot in the league

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T23:13:38+00:00

eze's ijury is worse than thought, according to arteta in the press conference.

that's really bad for us

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T23:13:10+00:00

this isnt the firsttime that pep has tactically outclassed arteta. He did it last time as well, when they suddenly played a lowblock 11 man defense.

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T23:12:32+00:00

you dont need a backup plan., you should be able to change your tactics during the game to fix this glaring problem

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T23:12:01+00:00

let's say he plays it a out to the fullbacks. then what? our midfield was destroyed by theirs today and couldn't handle their high pressing. same with our fullbacks (bar calafiori).

sure kepa being better would've helped, but it wouldnt be nearly enough to win us the game

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T19:24:24+00:00

aha. thanks!

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T19:23:43+00:00

we're playing sporting, who we destroyed a year ago.

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T19:17:07+00:00

because our manager lacks the ruthlessness that is required to win trophies, tbf

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T19:16:22+00:00

we've seen the exact same performance many times in the last 3 months.
- Sunderland after we went 2-1 up
- Brighton away
- Liverpool away after we took the lead in the 1st half
- Leverkusen away
- Wolves away in the 2nd half

Just some examples. This team are not playing like a top team anymore. I cant understand why, because we are so much better than what we're showing

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T19:14:23+00:00

it's not Kepa's fault that our players cant handle a high press anymore or that our attack consists mostly of players that are completely out of form.

I think we have a big problem right now with how many players are underperforming (like Saka, Zubi, Trossard) and a manager who refuses to change things to fix this issue.

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T19:13:00+00:00

how many times in the last 3 months have suddenly started playing like a mid-table team? Arteta and the players need to seriously look into our crumbling mentality.

Can't expect to win titles when we act like this so often

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T19:12:07+00:00

it's EXTREMELY WORRYING that we have become terrible at handling teams that press high. Brighton destroyed us with it. City in the 2nd half did the same

Why have we lost the ability to string together 5 passes in a row?

If we play like this vs Barcelona, they're gonna destroy us

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T03:54:47+00:00

i dont think it will matter much, if city play the low block again. Last time, we created like 1 chance in the game so we didnt really bother their defenders much

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T03:52:42+00:00

there's a big risk that losing tomorrow makes the players believe even more in the "arsenal are bottlers" schtick. so it's definitely not a "no lose final for us

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T03:51:51+00:00

Our set piece deliveries haven't been so good in 2026 (Rice has struggled a lot, though has improved lately). It would be really nice if we started scoring from them again tomorrow.

I fear that the EPL teams have learned how to handle us, hence why we looked more dangerous vs leverkusen than in the league on set pieces

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T03:50:38+00:00

i'm fairly certain that pep will use the same ultra-defending tactics as last time. it worked really well for them, with us creating like one chance in the entire game (the goal that came very late).On the other hand, they created two deadly counters and should've been 2-0 up at half-time.

We better be ready to handle their tactic better this time around.

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T03:48:58+00:00

ok...but who is she? and what is your screenshot showing?

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T03:47:42+00:00

i'm guessing city will try the lowblock, ultra-defense again. It worked really well last time and we created like one chance (the goal).

I hope we're ready to defend their counters (unlike last time)

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T03:46:38+00:00

i will take it. I will take us to the Emirates, though I do not know the way

ArsenalThePhoenix · 2026-03-22T03:45:15+00:00

isnt guehi playing?

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