**Arsenal Were the Better Team Against Man City, Says Pep Guardiola**
*By Rajdeep Saha | Sep 22, 2025, 01:18 AM*
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that Arsenal outperformed his side during their recent Premier League encounter, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The match saw City’s Erling Haaland open the scoring early on, only for Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli to grab a late equalizer. Despite the result, Guardiola admitted that Arsenal deserved credit for their superior performance.
**Guardiola Admits Arsenal Were the Better Side**
Speaking in a post-match press conference, Guardiola said, “I think the result is fair. In general, Arsenal were better.” He praised Arsenal’s organized defending, particularly highlighting how well they defended set-pieces and corners in a demanding game.
The City boss also pointed to the fatigue his players were experiencing after challenging fixtures against Manchester United and Napoli earlier in the week, which may have impacted their performance.
**A Tactical Shift: Defensive Approach by Man City**
In a rare tactical change, Guardiola opted for a five-man defensive setup against Arsenal. “We don’t try to be like this but when the opponent is better we defend deeper and counter-attack,” he explained.
This defensive strategy successfully frustrated Arsenal for most of the game, but ultimately it was breached late when Martinelli scored the equalizer.
**Resilience Despite Challenges**
Despite the draw, Guardiola lauded his team’s resilience, especially given the physical and emotional demands of their recent schedule. “Hats off to our team for the resilience. It’s so difficult when you’re not effective with high pressing,” he remarked.
He also acknowledged the toll of their intense match against Napoli and the long travel to London as factors that made the game even more challenging.
**Did You Know?**
According to Opta statistics, the 1-1 draw at the Emirates marked the lowest ever possession average for a Guardiola-managed team in a top-flight league match (his 601st). Interestingly, the two lowest possession figures under Guardiola both came against Arsenal in the Premier League — 32.8% in September 2025 and 36.5% in March 2023.
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Pep Guardiola’s candid recognition of Arsenal’s performance underlines the growing strength and competitiveness of Mikel Arteta’s side in the Premier League. The result also highlights Man City’s adaptability and determination in challenging circumstances.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/pep-guardiola-praises-arsenal-after-stalemate-at-the-emirates/story
