Arsenal Vs Manchester City: 5 things we learned – Arsenal have hope

3. The risk-reward of Artetaball

Arsenal’s opening goal was a brilliant move. From front to back, they played passes across the backline, including to Emiliano Martinez, shifted it forwards quickly, before providing quality in the final third.

Key moments included Granit Xhaka playing a first-time pass to Kieran Tierney to break the first line of the City press. Then Tierney fired an excellent pass into the feet of Alexandre Lacazette, who handled the difficult pass despite being under pressure superbly. He then turned and fed Hector Bellerin.

In the final third, Nicolas Pepe collected the ball from Bellerin, checked inside, surveyed his options, and curled a delicious cross towards the back post for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to arrow into the far corner, his outside-of-the-foot finish clipping the inside of the post in the process.

All in all, the move contained 18 passes. Eight of those came in Arsenal’s own penalty area. That is what Arteta demands of his team. It is the style that he wants his team to play with. And while it is a risky approach, it is the one that modern football has proven to be necessary. Aubameyang’s goal was the perfect illustration of that.

<p>Here are five things we learned.</p> <div id="attachment_103681" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103681" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1256903570-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 18: David Silva of Manchester City fouls Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on July 18, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Tallis/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>5. This is what Lacazette gives you</h4> <p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=alexandre+lacazette%22>Alexandre Lacazette</a> was the best player on the pitch in the first half. Playing in a false-nine-type position, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe flanking him and pushing high, the Frenchman excelled as he dropped into the midfield to receive the ball with his back to goal, hold off a pressuring defender, and then move the ball wide for Arsenal to progress play forwards.</p> <p>Time and time again, Lacazette demanded difficult passes from his teammates. Not only did he control them; he would off the City defender, spin into space, and then play a pass into another teammate in space. Lacazette won several fouls, allowed Arsenal to release building pressure from the relentless waves of City attacks, and was the focal point of the Gunners’ counter-attacks. And then, without the ball, he played a crucial role in nullifying the control impact of Ilkay Gundogan. The German played at the base of the City midfield. There to dictate the tempo and control the play, Lacazette simply followed him when the City centre-backs and goalkeeper had the ball. He did not allow City to play through the thirds and forced them to go long. This is what a confident, fully fit Lacazette can give you.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. The unwanted are vindicated </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_103694" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103694" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227683102-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal’s Brazilian defender David Luiz (L) jumps across to block Manchester City’s English midfielder Raheem Sterling (C) during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London, on July 18, 2020. (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS / POOL / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>4. The unwanted are vindicated</h4> <p>There have been plenty of critics for many of the Arsenal players this season. But three players who have been shunned by portions of the fanbase or even the club themselves proved to be invaluable to the collective performance here.</p> <p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=david+luiz%22>David Luiz</a> was immense at the heart of the back three. He won every header, cleared every cross, made a sensational block to deny Raheem Sterling, and didn’t let Gabriel Jesus have a touch of the ball. He also marshalled those around him, ensuring that Arsenal were never pulled out of shape.</p> <p>In front of him, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=granit+xhaka%22>Granit Xhaka</a> was excellent. Positionally disciplined, he never chased after the ball. He was conservative and safe with his decision-making, kept Kevin de Bruyne relatively in check, and even played out from the back when he had the opportunity to do so. This was the £35 million midfielder Arsenal signed four years ago.</p> <p>Finally,<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=ainsley+maitland-niles%22> Ainsley Maitland-Niles</a>, who has hardly featured under Mikel Arteta since Hector Bellerin’s return, started at left wing-back. His final ball was poor, but he carried Arsenal up the pitch at crucial moments and defended excellently against Riyad Mahrez, de Bruyne and Kyle Walker. Arteta knew how key the right half-space is for City. Maitland-Niles was selected for his athleticism and one-on-one defensive ability. He provided both in spades.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. The risk-reward of Artetaball </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_103682" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103682" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227682596-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (C) meets a cross to score the opening goal during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London, on July 18, 2020. (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS / POOL / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>3. The risk-reward of Artetaball</h4> <p>Arsenal’s opening goal was a brilliant move. From front to back, they played passes across the backline, including to Emiliano Martinez, shifted it forwards quickly, before providing quality in the final third.</p> <div class="recent-posts "> <h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4> <ul> <li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/"> Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/"> When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury? </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/"> 2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/"> Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023 </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/"> Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start? </a> </li></ul> </div> <p>Key moments included Granit Xhaka playing a first-time pass to Kieran Tierney to break the first line of the City press. Then Tierney fired an excellent pass into the feet of Alexandre Lacazette, who handled the difficult pass despite being under pressure superbly. He then turned and fed Hector Bellerin.</p> <p>In the final third, Nicolas Pepe collected the ball from Bellerin, checked inside, surveyed his options, and curled a delicious cross towards the back post for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to arrow into the far corner, his outside-of-the-foot finish clipping the inside of the post in the process.</p> <p>All in all, the move contained 18 passes. Eight of those came in Arsenal’s own penalty area. That is what Arteta demands of his team. It is the style that he wants his team to play with. And while it is a risky approach, it is the one that modern football has proven to be necessary. Aubameyang’s goal was the perfect illustration of that.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Tierney is a God </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_103693" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103693" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1256916749-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 18: Kieran Tierney and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal celebrate following the FA Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on July 18, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Matthew Childs/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>2. Tierney is a God</h4> <p>It has been a long time coming. When Arsenal signed <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=kieran+tierney%22>Kieran Tierney</a> for £25 million last summer, those who watched him regularly for Celtic said that they would acquire an elite-level defender, a player who would immediately endear the fans to himself, a person who would unite the fanbase and perform at a brilliantly high level.</p> <p>Thanks to injuries and COVID-19, Tierney has not been able to prove just how brilliant he might be. But, since the restart, a regular run of starts has indeed united the fans behind what looks like one of the best young defenders in the Premier League. And on this occasion, Tierney stood head and shoulders above all else on the pitch.</p> <p>Defensively, he was near-perfect. Never out of position, he timed his tackles to perfection and interception critical passes. In possession, he was calm, composed, technically skilled, and also progressive with his decision, playing three key forward passes in the build-up to both goals. He shouted and screamed, he gesticulated and commanded. He was brilliant, and he will be brilliant for a long, lone time.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. In Arteta, Arsenal have hope </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_103695" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103695" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227683362-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 18: manager Mikel Arteta and Emiliano Martínez of Arsenal celebrate on pitch after the FA Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on July 18, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>1. In Arteta, Arsenal have hope</h4> <p>Whether Arsenal go on to win the FA Cup or not, whether they squeeze into Europe in the Premier League, or whether they struggle in the final weeks of the season, there is one huge positive that they can take from what has been their worst season since before Arsene Wenger arrived: In <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=mikel+arteta%22>Mikel Arteta</a>, they have hope.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia"> <div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_103675" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/PainintheArsenal/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet") .addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet"); }); </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>From the tactics on the pitch to the way he communicates with the media, Arteta has barely made a mistake since he arrived as Arsenal’s head coach six months ago. Here, it was his team selection and overall approach that was so wonderful. To include Ainsley Maitland-Niles, to drop Sead Kolasinac and slide Kieran Tierney into centre-back, to have Alexandre Lacazette follow Ilkay Gundogan. These tactical decisions all paid off.</p> <p>And then there is the overall feeling in the squad and togetherness of the players. Arsenal are far from a perfect team and they still have a huge gap to close to reach City’s and Liverpool’s level. But the players believe in Arteta. You can see it in their body language, you can watch it in how they play. This is a team that believes in their coach.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal Vs Manchester City: Player ratings" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-arsenal-hope/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal Vs Manchester City: Player ratings </a> </div> </div> <p>What happens between now and the end of the season remains to be seen. But irrespective of the results, one thing is certain: Arsenal have hope.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">