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#2 Arsenal suffer in midfield
Arsenal decided to play a conventional 4-4-2 with Guendouzi and Torreira as the central midfield duo. On paper, the system looked fine with the additional numbers in the middle of the park considerably reducing the threat of City’s midfield.
Yet, the Gunners ultimately suffered as Guardiola’s usage of Fernandinho worked a charm.
Whenever City had the ball, the Brazilian stepped into midfield and made it a 3v2 in their favour. With an increased man in the centre of the pitch, the hosts pulled Arsenal apart piece by piece.
The Gunners never got close to the trio of David Silva, De Bruyne and Fernandinho and eventually paid the price.
Though the pairing of Torreira and Guendouzi displayed plenty of determination and courage, they were just out-played, out-passed and out-numbered in midfield.
There have been days previously when Arsenal’s midfield has just failed to turn up in a big away game. Yet, today, it was more a case of the opposition being extremely superior.
